CAUTION @Twitter & #Defamation

A great reminder!

Be accurate and as factual as possible in your Social Media posts.

An Australian man Joshua Meggitt is suing Twitter for defamation after settling out of court with ABC television personality and author Marieke Hardy who wrongly accused him of writing a hate blog.

Hardy denounced Melbourne man Mr Meggitt as a hate blogger who had been stalking her for years, writing on her Twitter account “I name and shame my ‘anonymous’ Internet bully. Liberating business! Join me,” she then linked to a post on her blog wrongly identifying Mr Meggitt.

Mr Meggitt threatened Ms Hardy with legal action last year after she made the allegations on her on Twitter account.

Fairfax Media reported that Hardy apparently settled this out of court for $15,000.

Hardy wrote on her blog at the time of settling the matter in December last year: “I accept that Joshua is not the writer and I sincerely apologize to him and his family for any upset caused”.

Under Australian law Twitter may be liable.

Mr Meggitt’s lawyer, Scott Gibson told Fairfax Media that his client was now seeking legal redress from the social media company: “Twitter are a publisher and at law anyone involved in the publication can be sued.”

Mr Gibson explained,  “We’re suing for the retweets and the original tweet – and many of the retweets and comments are far worse.”

Twitter is yet to comment.

It is important to be vigilant about the information you are providing and its sources.

YOUR SAY:

Have you been the victim of defamation on Social Media?

Do you believe Twitter is responsible for account holder’s tweets?