There are millions of users every year recorded suffering from libelous Facebook posts. Not all of them are well protected by authorities until suicides happen. It is not because of the law, but victims did not report police. There has been a lot of people who got compensations in recognition of having lost or damages from vilifying social posts.
Today's story is about a 74-year-old man named Kenneth Rothe. Kenneth Rothe living in Nambucca coastal town of New South Wales, Australia was awarded $115.000 after being vilified on Facebook. In March 2014, electrician David Scott wrote a status accusing his two hotels (Nirvana Village and Blue Dolphin) of being relocation of pedophiles.
Scott described that there was a bus stop which was always crowded with kids right in front of the hotels and pedophiles took advantage of that. After Scott's disclosure, Kenneth Rothe received many anonymous phone calls. He was even attacked, which gave him 6 months being cured in hospital. Afterwards, Rothe and his family decided to move out of Nambucca for their safety.
Blue Dolphin Motel of Kenneth Rothe
Being too tired of suffering, Kenneth Rothe determined to take David Scott to the court. The case was then taken over by Judge Judith Gibson. Finally, the electrician's status was proved to be baseless. Because of considerable damages he caused to Kenneth Rothe's reputation, health and business, David Scott was ordered to pay $150.000, including $115.000 compensation for Rothe.
Judge Judith Gibson said: “The anonymity, instaneousness and wide ranging reach of the Internet and social media make it a dangerous tool in the hands of persons who see themselves as caped crusaders or whistleblowers.”
The story was a good reminder to Internet users, that we could not say anything on social media. Lies and libelous saying that severely affect other people may take you to the court and even to prison, once reported. To victims, silence does not keep you away from hurts or ruins; police are to protect you by law.
Today's story is about a 74-year-old man named Kenneth Rothe. Kenneth Rothe living in Nambucca coastal town of New South Wales, Australia was awarded $115.000 after being vilified on Facebook. In March 2014, electrician David Scott wrote a status accusing his two hotels (Nirvana Village and Blue Dolphin) of being relocation of pedophiles.
Scott described that there was a bus stop which was always crowded with kids right in front of the hotels and pedophiles took advantage of that. After Scott's disclosure, Kenneth Rothe received many anonymous phone calls. He was even attacked, which gave him 6 months being cured in hospital. Afterwards, Rothe and his family decided to move out of Nambucca for their safety.
Blue Dolphin Motel of Kenneth Rothe
Being too tired of suffering, Kenneth Rothe determined to take David Scott to the court. The case was then taken over by Judge Judith Gibson. Finally, the electrician's status was proved to be baseless. Because of considerable damages he caused to Kenneth Rothe's reputation, health and business, David Scott was ordered to pay $150.000, including $115.000 compensation for Rothe.
Judge Judith Gibson said: “The anonymity, instaneousness and wide ranging reach of the Internet and social media make it a dangerous tool in the hands of persons who see themselves as caped crusaders or whistleblowers.”
The story was a good reminder to Internet users, that we could not say anything on social media. Lies and libelous saying that severely affect other people may take you to the court and even to prison, once reported. To victims, silence does not keep you away from hurts or ruins; police are to protect you by law.