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Original poster

Sunday Times story today about Mumsnet having to reveal posters' names

2 replies

BIWI · 29/01/2017 08:46

Without going into specific details, obviously, there's clearly a huge issue here about libel/responsibility for our posts.

I wonder if it would be a good idea for MNHQ to reiterate the current situation, so that people appreciate what they shouldn't (and what they can) post?

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MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 29/01/2017 11:51

Hi all

Thanks for raising this - probably best, as a few of you have noted, not to go into too much detail about the recent case but it's a good opportunity to clarify how current libel and defamation law relates to MN and MNers.

Section 5 of the Defamation Act lays out the process by which someone can ask to have posts removed from online forums including MN. First, they have to explain the basis for their complaint; we then contact the poster to let them know that we've received a complaint, and asking them if they want their posts removed or whether they would like them to stand. If they stand by them, then we leave them up; if they don't, or we haven't heard from them within a set period of time, we remove them.

Either way, if the complainant wants to pursue it further they can go to court and apply for an order to access any information we hold about the poster - so it really is worth remembering that you are ultimately responsible for what you post. There's a good explanation of what constitutes libel/slander/defamation over here.

Thanks for suggesting that we make this all a bit clearer on site - that's a very good idea and we'll get an explanation into our FAQs on Monday.

MNHQ

LornaMumsnet · 01/02/2017 10:53

Hi, all!

We appreciate your concerns about this.

Just to clarify, users do have the option to stand by their comments or to have them withdrawn.

Please do take a look at this post, where Kate explains the process of libel.

Hope this clears things up a bit.

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