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Willy had never before done anything illegal on the campus or off, so
his record was clean. However, seven
individual instructors are willing to testify that their professional
reputations have been damaged by the web site and its reportage.
Willy believes it is within his First Amendment rights to allow students
to comment on what they believe instructors do, and he has no control over
whether or not they are telling the truth or not. Also, since these faculty members have web sites of their
own, then they are “in the public eye,” and cannot retaliate with accusations
of libel.
It is your job to choose to defend or to prosecute young Mr. Mize. The ethical issues are numerous, and you
should cover the First Amendment defense and libel charges thoroughly as it
pertains to the Internet.
Possible Research Links Online:
ACLU Cyberspace Liberties
Libel
Student Press Law Center
Defamation Law and Free
Speech
Online Student "Teacher Review"
Online Student "Rate My Professors"
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