A lot of attention is given to social media its websites and platforms which have opened up a world of ‘social’ connectivity. Connecting business with their customers, artists, musicians and performers with their audiences not forgetting our friends and family with a sustained window in to each others lives. For better or worse the Internet is a good thing. All good things inevitably have a dark side but kept in check its conduct and practice enrich the good.
September’s Technology on Trial is focusing on defamation. For me the social web isn’t all about personality and celebrity, platforms and services, friends and follows it is about how we embrace the technology and apply existing ethis and behaviours to this new environment. Digital environments need no physical health and safety policies but risk assessments are not obsolete the dangers are more behavioural and ethical. Technology on Trial invites discussion about technology, its implications on our modern world, our day to day business as professionals and highlighting its legal ramification.
On 26th August just days after Septembers topic was published the BBC reports that online defamation cases have doubled saying “The number of court cases brought by people who say they have been defamed online more than doubles in a year, experts say.” Rother Dowson will be putting defamation in the spot light.
I will add this to the list of additional articles that accompany September’s Technology on Trial. How does this effect our businesses?
Except…
The total number of defamation cases brought to court rose from 83 to 86. The increase has been linked to a rise in the use of social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, the Libel Reform Campaign group said smaller website operators needed more legal backing to protect themselves against actions brought by what it described as “corporate bullies”.
Sign up to discuss this and other articles when you come along to Technology on Trial at Nottingham’s Galleries of Justice on 30th September 2001 from 9.30am.
