To think more people should be sued for online harassment

[SpaceRaiders]

It really warms my heart reading, the grovelling court ordered public apology by Julie Burchill, I can’t help but feel that the only real preventative measure to online bullying, harassment and defamation is by hitting people where it hurts.

I sincerely hope that they’re a few more of these types of libel cases, especially for those with a public following.

God I despise Julie Burchill. I agree, that was satisfying.

I'd like to see more media sued for harassment, but I understand it's too much to go through.

YANBU OP. I would love to see a fine system, like speeding fines, on scumbags who spew racist and misogynist filth online.

Jesus. She's a nasty, nasty piece of work!

YY Dione I’m always taken aback how much vile stuff is regurgitated about people most know nothing of. Even here.

Heart-warming

The Telegraph columnist said: "I should not have sent these tweets, some of which included racist and misogynist comments regarding Ms Sarkar's appearance and her sex life."

She continued: "I was also wrong to have 'liked' other posts on Facebook and Twitter about her which were offensive, including one which called for her to kill herself, and another which speculated whether she had been a victim of FGM (female genital mutilation)."

I can't get my head around how JB or anyone else thinks that this was ok. I'm glad Ash Sarkar sued, the abuse she received was disgusting. Unfortunately not everyone has the means to sue, that's why I think a fine system should be brought in.

The trouble is that the process is long, expensive, stressful and complex and at the end of it all you take the risk of losing and paying the costs if the other side as well as absorbing your own. Many cases settle early on but those that drag all the way to trial are horrendously stressful.

another thing is that even if you win you may never retrieve your costs and damages because the other party does not have the money.

Litigation is not something to take lightly.

I agree more people should be sued but fully understand why they're not.

Just watched a short documentary on youtube about a high school principal who took a case against some parents about what they posted online about her. I admire her for taking a stand. I have huge huge admiration for teacher and the people who have chosen to stay in the profession. I would be long gone.

Yanbu but the process as pointed out above can be so stressful and arduous and never really come to fruition. The issue really is there are more people who are sympathetic to JB's views who have large platforms than those who don't. Wasn't it just the other day that the Society of Editor's whom nobody had ever heard of stating that the UK press doesn't have a racism problem; to that effect.

It should not need people to sue. It should be a criminal offence. The platforms that host such content can take down copyright breaches fast enough, so can act to remove such content quickly.

I get that it’s arduous, stressful and expensive. I’m glad AS brought proceedings against JB. Perhaps it’s a little naive of me, I thought law firms took on cases of merit on a no win no fee basis. KH certainly didn’t have the funds for her libel case and ended up losing her house! Served her right tbh.

It very much feels like people can and do say whatever they feel like without ever really considering the repercussions. Not only professionally but also on a personal level. Just a shame that JB hasn’t been reprimanded on a professional level yet.

I’m not sure what good it would be making it a criminal offence. The police can barely police as it is.

It's shocking. How can anybody think it's ok to harass someone like that.