Hydaelyn Role-Players
Rant about Slander - Printable Version

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RE: Rant about Slander - McBeefâ„¢ - 05-18-2015

One note though, you need to be careful where you post from.

For example in America, there are very loose laws about such things. I could call any of you a child molester, and post on my tumblr how you molest children, and you could lose your job. Yet nothing could really be done to me.

In other places though (England I think is one of them), written word on the internet is considered similar to published word. So you can get in big trouble, if the other party figures out who you actually are behind the keyboard.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/21/uk_defamation_law_reforms_take_effect_from_start_of_2014/

So play nice! Or live in 'murika.

RE: Rant about Slander - Kellach Woods - 05-18-2015

alternately you could sue your former workplace for unfair termination of employment DEPENDING on which state you are in.

as much as people here say "just let them talk it says more about them than you" - yeah sure if it hasn't affected your enjoyment of the game via whatever all this shit can enflame. after that what do you do?

RE: Rant about Slander - Drifter - 05-18-2015

I've recently been in this type of situation, technically still am. And while I do take responsibility for my actions leading up to the unfortunate ending of our friendship and completely understand the other person being upset and even hurt by it, I do not appreciate being bad mouthed to anyone willing to give him/her the time of day. Even worse is that my friends are being slandered right alongside me, when the only thing they've done is continue to be my friends.

/Endrant

To add my opinion on the thread itself; it's okay to be angry with someone, or frustrated, or even hurt emotionally. But don't go around spreading lies, rumors, or half-truths about that person to everyone just because they wronged you in some way.

RE: Rant about Slander - Seriphyn - 05-18-2015

(05-18-2015, 01:13 PM)Edvyn Wrote:
Show Content



Mod Note: User was warned for this post under Section 1 of the rules: Spurious off-topic posts, including meme images and patent nonsense.

This...is not hurting anybody.

Sure, it's nonsense, but it's funny for that reason? It's just a piece of banter.

RE: Rant about Slander - Melkire - 05-18-2015

(05-18-2015, 03:11 PM)Seriphyn Wrote:
(05-18-2015, 01:13 PM)Edvyn Wrote:
Show Content



Mod Note: User was warned for this post under Section 1 of the rules: Spurious off-topic posts, including meme images and patent nonsense.

This...is not hurting anybody.

Sure, it's nonsense, but it's funny for that reason? It's just a piece of banter.

[Moderator Hardhat]

It's non-constructive and potentially derailing.

Re-rail, please and thank you.

[/Moderator Hardhat]

RE: Rant about Slander - LiadansWhisper - 05-18-2015

(05-18-2015, 11:00 AM)Zetchryn Wrote: Just... Just... Ugh. If someone is going to remove another as a friend on everything and block them, and then start slandering them to everyone they know...

Don't. Just please, that's one of the most immature and hurtful things I can think of. Has anyone else had this problem? No names, please.

This happens quite a bit, really.  Unfortunately, unless you want to go through the expense and trouble of filing a lawsuit (which would involve figuring out who the person is who did the actual slandering), you're probably going to have to just grin and bear it.

The people who know you will know it for the bullshit it is.  The people who believe it probably aren't worth your time anyway.

RE: Rant about Slander - Maia - 05-18-2015

I've definitely had this happen to me, and it's even extended to people saying whatever about the LS I run. At first I was like "What the?! That's not even remotely true!"

But after a time, I've come to realize that those who slander and rumormonger - or otherwise voice things for no other purpose than to drag someone else through the mud - are only showing their own poor sense of character. It's sad, but some people just don't have that sense of dignity or tact. Again, though, it reflects more on them than it ever does to you. And if Person B believes the slander without even fact checking or hearing your side of things? That probably isn't someone you want in your life, anyway.

For example, when a new person applies to my LS and immediately begins slandering their previous group, I instantly wonder how long it will be before they're saying the same thing about us. XD It's also why I take verbal cautions under advisement, but never act on anything unless I can see the screenshot of a particular incident.

There are people who like that sort of drama, but there are also those who absolutely do not get wrapped up in it. I would just focus on your friends who are the latter, and keep on keepin' on. Ignore the ones who want to reinact an episode of Jerry Springer and keep your mind on the stories, the creativity, and the RP. Don't let yourself get swept up in the nonsense. Thumbsup

RE: Rant about Slander - Faye - 05-18-2015

As an FC leader, yes, it happens all the time. I've had people who get punished or kicked for bad behavior who slander me or the FC as a whole (it happened just last night, actually -- and is probably ongoing!), we have people who come to us and immediately slander their previous FC/groups which is a never a good first impression to make, and I've seen it happen just among friends/members of the community (firsthand and personally, even). It's just a thing that happens because people suck. The best thing you can do is try to ignore it and keep your head up.

RE: Rant about Slander - Cato - 05-18-2015

I strive to distance myself from those who frequently gossip about other players in a negative manner. I learned quite quickly that if they're willing to badmouth other individuals then it's very likely that they'd be doing the same thing about me the moment the slightest disagreement or perceived issue emerged.

I'm also here to role-play and enjoy the game. High school style drama really isn't my cup of tea.

RE: Rant about Slander - GloryRhodes - 05-18-2015

Ok, so let's talk about what libel actually is vs everyone's preconceived notions here.  This will be important to remember for future discussions.

Libel is the act of damaging the reputation of another person in text through public speech, and it is illegal.  Severe civil penalties can be accrued by libelous speech, and it is generally considered a big bad nono in professional journalism circles.  But what exactly qualifies as libelous speech?

For one thing, it has to be untrue.  If the person committing libel is backing up what they're saying with screenshots, then it's not libel, or slander.  It's simply speech.  This does not mean that their interpretation has to be correct.  If their base facts are correct, and they can prove that "X said Y" then it's not libel, and there is no legal recourse or right for complaint according to US law.

If you are a private person instead of a public figure (more on that later), then you need to prove negligence on the part of the libeler.  This means that you have to prove that they did not do the amount of research that a reasonable person would do in order to prove their statement.  

If xx420blazinxx heard that Buff van Darkblade was harassing female players from EkwilRites69, then posts that statement on his tumblr immediately, then our friend 420 is guilty of negligence because he didn't ask which players were being harassed nor did he ask the supposed victims.

Had xx420blazinxx asked the all the victims, and they corroborated each others' stories, but had no screenshots,victims, it becomes a bit confusing, but 420 can probably get away with it because he did the amount of research a reasonable person would do.

Now if you're a public figure things are much harder for you.  This covers politicians, celebrities and business leaders, which in an MMO setting could include FC Leaders or other people who make it a point of being seen and well known about the community.  If you're a public figure then you have to prove actual malice.  It's no longer just about action, it's about intent.

Let's say Buff van Darkblade is now the head of his own super popular FC, The Orange Wings, with over 50 active members, and ol' xx420blazinxx  puts up on his tumblr that Buff consistently tries to sexually harass his female members and send them dick pics.  Now, 420 has no proof of this, but EkwilRites69 told him it was true, and 420 is just trying to warn girls and keep them safe.  In this situation 420 has the same amount of info he had last time, but he's completely in the right, legally speaking.

Buff needs to prove that 420 is blatantly disregarding the facts, not just misinterpreting them, not just parroting things he heard from a reasonable source, and he has to prove that this blatant disregard for the facts is specifically meant to damage his reputation, not to protect people.

As you can see, being famous has its drawbacks, which is why the National Enquirer can get away with its headlines.

Generally speaking though, there is a reason to say bad things about people and call them out.  When the truth about events is obfuscated by allusion and vague references then misinterpretation is extremely easy.  It can, in fact, lead to libel.  If you're going to call someone out for something, take screenshots, post proof and use evidence to back up your claims.

Without call outs bad people continue to do bad things, but rumor mongering is bad, everyone can agree.  Instead gather evidence, post screenshots and leave no room for doubt as to the veracity of your claims.

Don't post rants on the RPC that name no names, but which "people in the know" will get.  It's irresponsible, rude and inappropriate.

RE: Rant about Slander - Aaron - 05-18-2015

I've been told this one guy keeps trying to deface me IC because im not a lore Nazi (im sure some can guess who he is.) But that quickly goes out the window when the people he talks to meets me.

Im anything but a bad person lol.

My advice? Fight negativity with a smartass smile Smile

RE: Rant about Slander - GloryRhodes - 05-18-2015

(05-18-2015, 10:49 PM)GloryRhodes Wrote: Don't post rants on the RPC that name no names, but which "people in the know" will get.  It's irresponsible, rude and inappropriate.

(05-18-2015, 11:23 PM)Aaron Wrote: I've been told this one guy keeps trying to deface me IC because im not a lore Nazi (im sure some can guess who he is.) 

That could not have been timed better if you'd tried.  Case in point.

This post is not libel because I have directly quoted him to provide evidence.  Since this post is fact, it can not be construed as libel or slander, and he has no legal recourse.

RE: Rant about Slander - LiadansWhisper - 05-19-2015

Even if he did, there's some issues.

1) The person may not be in the same country as you are.  Every country has laws specific to how a civil suit must be handled, and your country and the country in question might not even have open diplomatic relations (making suing them a pain in the butt as well as ridiculously expensive).  You will have to, at the very least, retain an international attorney, and they are not easy to find.

2) Lawsuits cost money.  They cost a lot of money.  Here they start off as something like $200 just to file the suit.  But then you have service costs, and attorney fees, etc.  It adds up.

3) Many judges do not and will not care about posts made on an electronic forum unless you can prove it's actually hurting you in real life (i.e. causing emotional or physical trauma, loss of employment, issues with education).  Even then, it's incredibly subjective, and since in most US states, your judge is chosen by lottery, there's a chance you're going to get someone who think it's all B.S.

4) If your trial goes to a jury, you do not want to think about how much you're going to have to pay out.  We're talking tens of thousands of dollars in a US jury trial just to retain a jury.

5) Even before the trial goes to a jury, you're going to have subpoenas, depositions, and other costs associated with a lawsuit.  Your lawyer may absorb those costs initially, but they are actually very likely refuse and demand up-front payment due to the nature of the lawsuit (libel/slander lawsuits are hard to prove, and thus hard to collect on).

It's pretty much never worth it to file a lawsuit in a situation of libel or slander unless it's some story that goes national/international, or unless it affects your real life career/education.

Source: I worked in civil law for 5 years or so.  My mother still does.