New IT Bill outlaws ' Defamation of Character'.

[howardjennings]

LGC News has just posted an article concerning a new Bill which makes it a criminal offence to 'harm the dignity' of a person, and
cause them 'direct or indirect physical or mental harm'. Penalties include fines of up to 20 times the minimum wage
and, or imprisonment for up to five years.
So the next time you think someone has ripped you off, or want to make offensive remarks about a person, think twice before you vent your feelings on line!

[Keithcaley]

This is going to be fun!

[Groucho]

This is going to be fun!

... it will reduce posts by 50%...

[howardjennings]

It'll be really good fun on Facebook, especially if the culprits have their mugshots as part of their profiles.
Easier to identify them.

[frontalman]

I would just like to take the opportunity to apologise to anyone I may have offended on this forum.

[Keithcaley]

I would just like to take the opportunity to apologise to anyone I may have offended on this forum.

May have?..... MAY HAVE?

[Up the Reds.]

Wow that's one hell of a sticky slope !! So,the TRNC have now become upset when someone has the audacity to speak the truth (As they see it)????? George Orwell was just wrong with his dates !!

[Up the Reds.]

Soner you're going to need a troop of moderators now !!!!

[howardjennings]

I bet those highly professional Builders and Lawyers will be thinking its a new dawn out there











R

[Keithcaley]

Excerpt from the Forum Rules: -

Be Polite Rudeness will not be tolerated. You may challenge others' points of view and
opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully without insult and personal attack. Any
member being intentionally unpleasant or disruptive will be banned without warning.

Respect The Forum Moderators Kibkom Forum Moderators have the final say. They
do not need to explain their actions.

Freedom of Speech We respect every member's right to post their opinions on all
issues providing they do not cause legal issues with regards to on-going court cases and
government laws, Worldwide.

Defamatory, Wrong or Misleading Posts By joining The Kibkom Forum, you agree
not to post any defamatory, wrong or misleading information about any person or any
company. Members doing so may be subject to legal action taken up against them. Your
post, member details and your IP address along with the time of your postings will be
used as evidence.

[tomsteel]

"Defamation is the oral or written communication of a false statement about another that unjustly harms their reputation and usually constitutes a tort or crime. However, in some countries (Sweden eg) even a true statement can be considered as defamation". I guess the TRNC has adopted the latter part of this definition. Interesting times ahead for many posters/moderators!!

[EnjoyingTheSun]

"Defamation is the oral or written communication of a false statement about another that unjustly harms their reputation and usually constitutes a tort or crime. However, in some countries (Sweden eg) even a true statement can be considered as defamation". I guess the TRNC had adopted the latter part of this definition. Interesting times ahead for many posters/moderators!!

Well done Sweden, so if I said on 9/12 that Osama was a murdering terrorist he could have sued me?
In the rush to show how liberal you are you create a gun to fire at the freedom of the press

[tomsteel]

I neither condone, nor condemn, those who post defamatory remarks. Adults must be responsible for their own actions. The Forum rules are specific and clear. I merely posted the definition of the word. My personal view of the media is mine and will not be posted here or anywhere else either.

[sophie]

Hang on, does that mean I have to be polite to KC from now on????

[Up the Reds.]

I am over 21 and never ever get offended by anyone who speaks the truth (or their opinion). There is never a good reason to become insulting over some elses opinion however it seems the the far left liberal attitude is that if 'I don't agree with you' it is some sort of offence. One has to assume that this draconian law is similar to that proposed in Turkey. Honest oeople don't need anti-freedom of speach laws as the laws of libel are already in existance. Seems to me there are far more pressing problems here in the TRNC and elsewhere just now. NO OFFENCE TI ANYONE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED !!!

[EnjoyingTheSun]

I am over 21 and never ever get offended by anyone who speaks the truth (or their opinion). There is never a good reason to become insulting over some elses opinion however it seems the the far left liberal attitude is that if 'I don't agree with you' it is some sort of offence. One has to assume that this draconian law is similar to that proposed in Turkey. Honest oeople don't need anti-freedom of speach laws as the laws of libel are already in existance. Seems to me there are far more pressing problems here in the TRNC and elsewhere just now. NO OFFENCE TI ANYONE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED !!!

Opinion isn't defamation. If I said in my opinion Jurgen Klopp was the worst manager in the world that isn't libelous just a daft opinion.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

That said actions do have consequences

https://twitter.com/i/status/1278587060757114881

[Keithcaley]

Hang on, does that mean I have to be polite to KC from now on????

Hmmm... I'll sign a waiver allowing you to insult me, if you'll do the same

Then, of course, there's all those other people that I insult on a regular basis, plus the ones that I inadvertently insult or offend without intending to either because my post is misunderstood or because they think that I'm insulting someone else, when I'm really just teasing...

I'm going to have to put a 'health warnlng' on all of my posts!

Perhaps I should just add it as a 'signature'.

[frontalman]

Hang on, does that mean I have to be polite to KC from now on????

Phew, settle down there.

[howardjennings]

Interesting to read the point of views. But I think the main issue is that in the UK we have a CIVIL law which deals with Libel and Slander. You don't get arrested for slating someone off, because it isn't a CRIMINAL offence. It is the choice of the 'wronged' party to sue for damages in court which is the only remedy.

But this isn't the UK ! Here you can get 'banged up' instead!

I understand the Rules of the Forum, but I have seen some posts, though with good intent, which could run foul of the new law.
Writing a post to warn Forum Members to avoid establishments, or tradesmen found to be giving poor service and ripping people off might be an example.

[Keithcaley]

howardjennings, it is an interesting situation, the new law appears to cover online Bullying, which is great, but is rather broad in that it covers publishing anything 'which might cause harm', without stipulating the requirement that the published item be UNTRUE.

ETS said "Opinion isn't defamation. If I said 'in my opinion Jurgen Klopp was the worst manager in the world' that isn't libellous just a daft opinion."

According to the new law, then in TRNC, if the statement caused Jurgen Klopp to experience Mental Suffering or Harm, a criminal offence has been committed - whether or not the statement was true, and whether it was expressed as a statement of fact or as an opinion.

I'm gonna stick to insulting people with thick skins from now on

[Wight]

Is it retroactive ?

[Keithcaley]

Is it retroactive ?

Don't go there!

[howardjennings]

Good idea Keithcaley. If you can find one thick enough....or maybe keep below the Radar.

[jofra]

And what if I - while in the UK - say something nasty (even if it's true) on here about someone in the UK, would/could this new law apply?
No wonder that lawyers are rich (Oops! Perhaps I shouldn't have said that - I mean lawyers in the UK.....)

[Deniz1]

The "new law" is actually about 5 months old but has not been publicised.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

And what if I - while in the UK - say something nasty (even if it's true) on here about someone in the UK, would/could this new law apply?
No wonder that lawyers are rich (Oops! Perhaps I shouldn't have said that - I mean lawyers in the UK.....)

Maybe when having an argument one of each of your could stand at either end of Ledra crossing and shout at each other?

It reminds me of a classic bit of Alan Partridge on the radio (which worked much better than on the TV incidentally.)
He was interviewing an English actor in Hollywood and the interview went something like this as I recall;

AP: You wrote your biography A Gent in Hollywood
Actor: Yes I did
AP: But one publication gave it a scathing review and renamed the book A ##nt in Hollywood.
Actor: Yes they did and I sued them
AP: And you lost
Actor: Yes I did
AP: So legally people can refer to you as a ##nt?
Actor: They can but only in writing, they can't call me one verbally?
AP: But I could write it on a sign and show it to you?
Actor: Yes you could perfectly legally and people often do.

[Up the Reds.]

I've only just read the leader story on CT and why wasn't I surprised that almost every TC politician voted for this new defamation law. In countries which have speedy criminal justice systems, unbias police not subject to corruption and nepotism, business trading standard laws and 'duty of care' laws for legal representatives then this law maybe has some value. Everyone I've spoken to think this law is a 'criminals charter' .....Allegedly and of course not speaking about any individual either alive, dead or in between!!