Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Facebook 'Suck Sites' Have Their Day in Court

Defamation lawsuit against angry student may set a precedent

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2009 3:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – A lawsuit filed by administrators at an Illinois beauty school may set a precedent regarding so-called “suck sites,” the Chicago Tribune reports. Nicholas Blacconiere, a student at the Salon Professional Academy of Elgin, welcomed classmates to criticize teachers on a Facebook page. After students posted accusations of teacher incompetence and promiscuity, administrators claimed emotional damage and filed suit for $50,000.

"Suck site" challenges have met with mixed success so far, and there hasn't yet been a landmark school-vs.-student online defamation case. One expert says that while students like Blacconiere should be allowed self-expression, there are limits: If they "get online and defame and destroy the reputation of someone else, or basically inflict severe emotional distress, yep, they can be held libel."

A Facebook login page is seen on a computer screen in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Thursday, August 27, 2009.
A Facebook login page is seen on a computer screen in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Thursday, August 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)
A Facebook user edits their privacy settings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Thursday, July 16, 2009.
A Facebook user edits their privacy settings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Thursday, July 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

When you're talking about either social networking sites or also the prevalence of something like live journals or blogs, there's definitely a lot of room for someone to get upset and sue. - Kimberly Isbell, Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Spudsy
Sep 20, 2009 7:36 AM CDT
Accusing someone of promiscuity is not a feeling, it is either an accurate description or slander. If it is slander then the target should be due damages. If a student went online and merely said that he "hated" a teacher, that would be a feeling and not be slanderous.
Cat-Lover
Sep 20, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
Because truth is not a complete defense in participating in libel or slander, I firmly believe that anyone who posts any libelous or slanderous statement fully intends to harm another. Good for the school administrators!!!!
DontLikeYou___
Sep 20, 2009 1:53 AM CDT
@Mad.... your obsessed with Fox News. I suggest you seek help. Have a nice day.

More Newser Stories

Facebook 'Power Users' Help Everybody Else

Here's the 'Most Annoying Tweet Imaginable'

Facebook Post Garners 1M Comments

'Don't Be Evil' Tool Alters Google Searches

Facebook Makes Us Feel Bad About Our Lives


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne