Blogs and Defamation of character

[whotheheckami]

I am unsure of the legal frame workwork that Blogs exist in. Is a blog covered by the laws of the country of the hosting organisation (eg USA for Live Journal) or the country of the poster?

In legal terms is a blog the same as publishing something in a newspaper or magazine or broadcasting it on TV? Would it matter if the post was made on a friends-locked post; or to an audience that did not include the individual or organisation being defamed?

How would I find out if posting something that is defamatory about someone on a blog would count as libel?

I've posted this as an open post so that you can link to it if you think someone who does not read this journal could advise.

Thank you

Mel

Comments

[arachne.livejournal.com]

Well duh ;)
I was working on the assumption that that was understood ;)

Mind, it bears saying that the burden of proof is on the person who made the potentially libellous statements/claims. So, if you were to say "that ara, she's boffing Tony Blair", and I was a bit put out by this, the onus would be on you to prove that I was doing so.

I'm not, as it happens.

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

But would you? ;@)

[arachne.livejournal.com]

It'd cost 'im ;)

[countb.livejournal.com]

But you want to, dontcha?

(which is slander, I think)

[arachne.livejournal.com]

Nope, slander is spoken. Libel is published.

I'm *so* taking you to court, boyo :P

[countb.livejournal.com]

Are you suggesting I'm a bit Welsh?

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

...and that is a compliment and could never be interpreted as libel

My journal...my sandpit...my rules ;@)

[countb.livejournal.com]

Besides, I *am* a bit Welsh!

(my legs)

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

Well I'm not which bits of me are 1/8 Irish! But they'll be the ones most involved at the Pogues! Rar!