Bloggers are not above libel laws

Bloggers might relish the opportunity to “let rip” in their own small part of cyberspace but they should remember they are bound by the same laws professional journalists must adhere to. For example, defamation is defamation regardless of whether words appear in a newspaper, commercial website or personal blog.

According to Press Gazette, this was one very expensive lesson learnt by Welsh blogger Jacqui Thomson who fell afoul of libel laws in her blogged tussle with Carmarthenshire County Council chief executive Mark James.

Initially, Thomson filed a libel lawsuit against James and the council after a claim that she was “running a campaign of harassment, intimidation and defamation of Council staff and members for some considerable time”.

James counter-sued over statements made in a number of Thomson’s blog posts, including one that described James as “Pinnochio” and talked about “slush funds”

After losing both a court case and appeal, Thomson now faces legal fees and court expenses in excess of £220,000 and as a result may lose her house.

The mother-of-four told journalists: ““I was pretty devastated by it all”.

She continued: “He shouldn’t have said what he said and I feel the judgment was totally wrong. It was a very lengthy judgement and there’s not a lot I can do about it.

“There are so many things about it that were wrong but it’s very difficult to overturn these things. If I was a wealthy person I would have taken it further, I would have gone to the Supreme Court, or Europe.”

A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council had little to say regarding the court battle, telling journalists: “The council’s response to this case is well documented and a matter of public record having been discussed at full council.

“You may wish to search through council minutes here if you need information/background. The council has nothing further to add.”

The simple fact is, bloggers are not above media law and ignorance of such laws will not stand up in court.