The changes wrought by distributed computer networks will likely change some of the traditional balances our society has struck between rights and responsibilities. Take libel, for example … These differences may undermine the whole rationale for holding those who merely republish information (and who do not review it beforehand) legally responsible for libelous statements.
Predictor: Godwin, Mike
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 article for Internet World, Mike Godwin, chief counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, outlines issues in regard to law and the Internet. Godwin writes: ”The changes wrought by distributed computer networks will likely change some of the traditional balances our society has struck between rights and responsibilities. Take libel, for example.Historically, a publisher who printed an article quoting a libelous statement was held to be as responsible, legally, as the person who originally made the statement … But how does libel law play out on the Net? One thing that becomes apparent quickly to Internet users and service providers is that the dynamic of information flow is very different on the Net from that of traditional (print) publishers. For one thing, the person or entity providing Internet access may have no more financial resources than the person who is allegedly libelled by a posting from that site. For another, no one reasonably believes that an access provider prescreens all Usenet postings or e-mail before passing that information through to the rest of the world. A third difference lies in the sheer democracy of the Net – it is comparatively easy for even private individuals to ‘correct the record’ by posting answers to libelous statements. These differences may undermine the whole rationale for holding those who merely republish information (and who do not review it beforehand) legally responsible for libelous statements.”
Biography:Mike Godwin was an attorney specializing in Internet issues and the outspoken chief counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the cyber-liberties organization in the 1990s. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Defamation/Libel
Name of publication: Internet World
Title, headline, chapter name: The Law of the Net: Problems and Prospects
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.eff.org/Publications/Mike_Godwin/law_of_the_net_godwin.article
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney