[IMC-Editorial] Re: [Imc-ireland] Libelous Remarks

Mon Jun 16 13:16:25 PDT 2003

Of course IMC Ireland is AUTONOMOUS of the editorial collective (global) and is free to draW their own lines.  That said, I note that Eamonn has been more proactive than those on some other of our wires.  It is common to wait until there is a reason as compelling as a legalsuit.  This has occured in Europe.

I'm glad this was not headed that way.  Its a difficult situation since part of the "IMC IMAGE" is our aversion to censorship.  Many still can not fathom us running a site without exercising pre-emptive content control.  

As stated before, I'm at a distance from the ground, so please read me that way.  It seems this has come to an issue of the sites "safety" for our communities (in this case- communities at odds with one another.)

I think that principle trumps the open policy, and that Eamonn has done right with his removing of what were threatening statements.

Perhaps there can come something out of this which is positive.  Perhaps the "waring" parties could de-escalate and present themselves less stridently and threateningly?  This is a lesson we all need to keep close to heart.  Facts and emotions do sometimes need to be separated.

As for naked threats--- these are best left to the institutions we all want to change for the better.

walt, Seattle
who hopes his butting in is not seen as intrusive and unwaranted.
--

--------- Original Message ---------

DATE: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 10:46:38
From: "Oisin Kelly" <oisinkelly at hotmail.com>
To: imc-editorial at lists.indymedia.org
Cc: 

>
>I am not threatening any legal action. What I am saying is that Indymedia 
>should not allow people to libel others- which leaves you open for legal 
>action. Editors should not allow their publication or website be ruined by 
>poor 'journalism' and potentially libelous remarks.
>
>As I said before Indymedia had some potential, but has been ruined by a 
>small minority determined to 'drive off the trots'. It seems to me that the 
>Editors do not take libelous remarks or the credibility of IMC seriously.
>
>Oisín
>
>>From: "eamonn crudden" <ecrudden at hotmail.com>
>>To: imc-editorial at lists.indymedia.org, oisinkelly at hotmail.com
>>Subject: Re: [Imc-ireland] Libelous Remarks
>>Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 02:49:54 +0000
>>
>>Hi Oisin,
>>
>>Thanks for your not so subtle threat. If you join the editorial list you 
>>will see we've started a discussion about it.
>>
>>I am deleting a number of threats in comments as to me they're unacceptable 
>>in my opinion.
>>
>>They'll stay deleted unless the others on this list overrule me and put 
>>them back. Will not delete the stuff about hacking computers etc. These are 
>>patently a piss-poor attempt at satire and pisstaking. Go ahead and sue if 
>>you are really sure of your opinion.
>>
>>Ever Read 'The Joke' by Milan Kundera?
>>
>>Eamonn (1 of IMC IRL)
>>
>>
>>>From: contact_form at indymedia.ie
>>>Reply-To: oisinkelly at hotmail.com
>>>To: imc-ireland at lists.indymedia.org
>>>Subject: [Imc-ireland] Libelous Remarks
>>>Date: 14 Jun 2003 20:02:21 -0000
>>>
>>>From: Oisín Kelly
>>>mailto:oisinkelly at hotmail.com
>>>
>>>Editors,
>>>
>>>I wish to draw your attention to a comment on IMC Newswire that is 
>>>libelous in my opinion. "Durutti" in a comment on the article "electronic 
>>>voting" made accusations that the Socialist Party were involved in 
>>>electoral fraud.
>>>
>>>"SP Hackers
>>>by Durutti Thu, Jun 12 2003, 2:38pm
>>>
>>>The SP hacked the computers in Dublin North and almost got Clare Daly 
>>>elected."
>>>
>>>In this thread "Ray" also made similar accusations of electoral fraud and 
>>>intimidation of polling clerks.
>>>
>>>"I know someone who works in the counting centres
>>>by Ray Thu, Jun 12 2003, 2:44pm
>>>
>>>And he said that Joe Higgins only got elected in the first place because 
>>>of SP ballot-stuffing. My source was threatened into silence, so I can't 
>>>give any more details."
>>>
>>>On the Newswire there have been threats against Socialist Party members. 
>>>"Durutti" made the following remark in a comment to the article "SWP split 
>>>over Direct Action":
>>>
>>>"when the Black Bloc arrive then there will certainly be trouble. It wont 
>>>be just restricted to your paper sellers..." (Fri, Jun 13 2003, 2:34pm)
>>>
>>>I will say it again to the editors, these accusations are NOT satire, they 
>>>are libelous comments that are published on a website that YOU are editors 
>>>of.
>>>
>>>I think it would be a good idea if you remove ALL comments and articles 
>>>that may put the IMC in risk of legal action.
>>>
>>>I have a copy of this communication on paper.
>>>
>>>Yours Sincerely,
>>>
>>>Oisín Kelly,
>>>14-6-2003.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Imc-ireland mailing list
>>>Imc-ireland at lists.indymedia.org
>>>http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-ireland
>>
>
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