Libel [1]

Scenario 8

Aaron is watching the news and he sees a feature about how a small number of associated children's TV personalities from the 1980's are about to be arrested, accused of being paedophiles.

Aaron notices speculation on Twitter about who the suspects could be. Aaron asserts that one particular children's TV show was really creepy, on reflection. Aaron hasn't yet named these characters or the TV show he has in mind in relation to this speculation, but has come up with a "hilarious" hash tag, making reference to their catch phrase. He is about to Tweet...

How would you advise Aaron in this situation?

	a)	Tell Aaron to circulate the hash tag by direct message on Twitter only as he could get into trouble
	b)	Tell Aaron that he should never engage in speculation online about an issue like this as it could be seen as libellous.
	c)	Tell Aaron not to use the hashtag, to create a meme with the hash tag embedded on a photograph of the characters and post it on his Facebook instead, then only his friends will see it and they will find it funny..
	d)	Tell Aaron to Tweet the hashtag - it's hilarious and everyone will laugh - it is not as if he has named these people directly - just their characters!
Please select an answer This is not the best advice. This hashtag could ultimately be traced back to Aaron if one of the personalities implicated in this hashtag takes offence and suffers financially from this act. There have been a number of recent legal cases that evidence the fact that average members of the public need a basic understanding of media law if they are not to end up in the courts. Further information - What dangers lie ahead for libellous Tweeters: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21534398 A guide to the law for Twitter users: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20782257 This is the best advice. It is best to avoid spreading gossip and negative speculation. It won't show Aaron in a very positive light. There have been a number of recent legal cases that evidence the fact that average members of the public need a basic understanding of media law if they are not to end up in the courts. Further information - What dangers lie ahead for libellous Tweeters: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21534398 A guide to the law for Twitter users: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20782257 This is not the best advice. Any of Aaron's friends who comment on this image will find it is republished on their Facebook pages, but it can ultimately be traced back to Aaron. This image could go viral and Aaron could end up in serious trouble - either sued for libel or beasted through the press. There have been a number of recent legal cases that evidence the fact that average members of the public need a basic understanding of media law if they are not to end up in the courts. Further information - What dangers lie ahead for libellous Tweeters: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21534398 A guide to the law for Twitter users: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20782257 This is not the best advice. The characters are associated with particular actors so this is probably as bad as naming the individual actors. Aaron could be prosecuted for libel damages if these characters suffer loss of income as a result of the slanderous Tweets. Aaron only has 300 followers, but if this Tweet goes viral, it could reach hundreds of thousands of people. There have been a number of recent legal cases that evidence the fact that average members of the public need a basic understanding of media law if they are not to end up in the courts. Further information - What dangers lie ahead for libellous Tweeters: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21534398 A guide to the law for Twitter users: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20782257 CPS Guidelines on prosecuting social media cases

Digital Professionalism

Table of Contents

Libel [1]

Scenario 8

How would you advise Aaron in this situation?