Are you allowed to?

[Guest Smimby]

So lets say I see someone doing something wrong, like driving up a one way street....and I take a picture of them......can I post it on the internet saying that this person did that?

 

Then lets say my friends see the post, are they allowed to share it? They did not see what happened yet they post the person's face all over the internet?

 

I have seen this more and more on Facebook where people share other people posts with pictures of people who "apparently" did something wrong.

 

What is the legal implications, could the person not sue for Defamation? 

 

I have posted pictures, that I found on the internet so in my mind those pictures are on the public domain already, and I did not take the picture and I also saw personally whatever the person did (ie littering) but I am worried to share, post pictures of people just because someone is looking for the contact details for said person.

 

What do you hubbers think?

[Long Wheel Base]

Hmm good point. I never thought about it like that. But hey its social media and gets plenty people into trouble for a short period and then it gets forgotten.

[Patensie]

I studied law way back in 1997 & knowledge might be "slightly" outdated: No defamation if what you say is: 1) Truth AND 2) in public interest. Back in those days the legal profs were just starting to think about the interwebs & consequences...

[Guest Smimby]

I studied law way back in 1997 & knowledge might be "slightly" outdated: No defamation if what you say is: 1) Truth AND 2) in public interest. Back in those days the legal profs were just starting to think about the interwebs & consequences...

But if I am re-sharing someone else allegation? I don't know if it is the truth?

[Brickleberry]

Saw one today of an old guy who apparently exposed himself in front of a lady. And people have shared the hell out of it. I always think, why does the pic not show him doing that then? Often I think it could be some idiot trying to be nasty to someone, so I don't share any of it

[Lurch the stalker]

In a similar train of thought, I always wonder when you get those smses/BBMs/WhatApp's etc saying something along the lines of, "person in vehicle with registration X has grabbed a child" and you should look out and call the cops. I would love to know how many of those are some bitter ex wife or husband getting their ex into trouble...and people just post that stuff like it is wildfire...

[Guest Smimby]

Saw one today of an old guy who apparently exposed himself in front of a lady. And people have shared the hell out of it. I always think, why does the pic not show him doing that then? Often I think it could be some idiot trying to be nasty to someone, so I don't share any of it

Excatly what worries me, people share without knowing if it is true or not.

 

Another one is the Eskom, Duva power station story that everyone is sharing.....and then I discovered it happened in 2011

[Skubarra]

 

Another one is the Eskom, Duva power station story that everyone is sharing.....and then I discovered it happened in 2011

 

Wondered about that one, not the least surprised that it's old news... Sometimes also one going around about Medupi Power Station that is also very old.

 

Good thread, I've often seen people not applying any judgement at all when sharing "news events" on social media, a lot of things cannot be verified at all. The first defamation lawsuit might not be far off!

[Long Wheel Base]

Saw one today of an old guy who apparently exposed himself in front of a lady. And people have shared the hell out of it. I always think, why does the pic not show him doing that then? Often I think it could be some idiot trying to be nasty to someone, so I don't share any of it

I read some of the comments on the 2oceans vibe site about that and people agreed with you saying all they can see is a dude walking his dog. That chick supposedly has a video of it but handed it over to the cops. I agree with you that often its someone being nasty but in some cases like a taxi driving in on coming traffic is obvious so those ill share.

[Long Wheel Base]

Ask David Bullard what his opinion is about sharing stuff on social media.

 

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bullard-under-fire-over-rape-tweets-20140205

[Rider3000]

But if I am re-sharing someone else allegation? I don't know if it is the truth?

I would rather not share anything someone else witnessed, if it turned out not to be true youll damage someones reputation and that might never be restored!