Corinna Coors, ‘Opinion or Defamation? Limits of Free Speech in Online Customer Reviews in the Digital Era’

Abstract:
This article explores defamation on the internet in blogs, discussion threads and websites containing customer reviews. It considers the serious harm threshold test introduced by the Defamation Act 2013, evaluating the degree of guidance given in Cooke v MGN Ltd on what evidence would be needed to prove serious harm. Discusses the new statutory defences of truth and honest opinion, malice on the part of the person making the statement, and defences available to website operators.

Coors, Corinna, Opinion or Defamation? Limits of Free Speech in Online Customer Reviews in the Digital Era (February 20, 2015). Communications Law – The Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 2015, Volume 20, Number 3, pp 72-76.

First posted 2016-03-11 07:19:27

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