Libel Laws

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Inspired by discussion in a recent topic, what would be preferable to you? Stricter laws on slander and libel (like those in England) or more lenient ones (like those in the United States)?

[Associate Justice PiT]

I think that whether libel laws are a good or bad idea depend on the place and judicial system. So do I trust the American judicial system to administrate British style libel laws; No. Do I trust the British judicial system to administrate them; Yes.

     But the question I am getting at is, do you have a personal preference towards the strictness of laws that exist? I and some others who have posted in this thread have indicated a preference towards few if any laws against libel. Think about what kind of libel laws would exist in your dream country, where you could set up the judicial system however you liked.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Completely abolished.

Calling a teacher a paedophile can ruin his or her life. Should that really be legal?

     Usually it would lead to a criminal investigation, with the issue being put aside if the teacher is found in the clear. Being falsely accused of criminal activity can ruin someone's life in many different contexts. Should we prosecute the accuser in the Duke Lacrosse case for slandering the players?