Cyber defamation is when one uses the Internet
as a source of passing offensive remarks, demeaning information, and slanderous
accusations by way of tainting or targeting a victim’s reputation out of spite,
or with a motive. In cases where cyber defamation is prevalent, it is said that
the Korean government traces such behavior on the Internet, without the victim
lodging a complaint in the first place; they are still in the process of making
this a complete law. China on the other hand, is the only country that has
cyber defamation as an actual implemented law.
Says, Raj B Lonsane, the reason that cyber defamation has such an
impact on Korea, is because of suicides from celebrities that were the subject
of such a crime, forcing them to fall into severe bouts of depression, because
of the circulating comments online. We see cyber defamation in all kinds of
forms worldwide, but it hasn’t instigated an uproar because the defamation has
probably been dealt with between the parties involved, or it has been brought
to the notice of officials if the situation reaches a state of uncontrolled
hate.
One such major case that included the
horrendousness of cyber defamation, took place over a span of four years, where
a couple in Clarksville, Texas were victims to false comments posted on a forum
site, Topix. Mark and Rhonda Lesher, the victimized couple in question, were
assaulted with online comments about being sexual deviants that indulged in
sexually harassing acts. According to Raj B Lonsane, they were found not guilty after years of having to
put up with the scrutiny, court meetings, and unending exposure in the gruesome
spotlight of the public eye that held negative feelings towards the innocent
couple. They tracked down those responsible, winning a battle that resulted in
millions being awarded to them for loss of reputation, and mental anxiety.
Raj B Lonsane states that such cases over the Internet can be quite
damaging to one’s image, especially when it results in things like losing out
on a business, being ridiculed from public places, and worst of all, losing the
trust of those close to you. The cases are not only damaging, but scarring –
causing people to even flee their own hometowns like Mr. and Mrs. Lesher.
Why
People Resort to Cyber Defamation
While many of us would term it as having a
grudge that doesn’t let up easily, others will say it is a case of psychotic
proportions. Either could prove correct, since attackers with all kinds of
vendetta, subject their victims to prolonged anxiety and injustice. Sometimes
it may be harmless, but in most cases the attacker in question is just doing it
for kicks. Organizations like the CIS, or Cyber Investigation Services involve
themselves in such crimes committed over the Internet, especially when it
escalates to a point that is horrifically damaging says Raj B Lonsane of CCITO.
a)
File and store away the
defamatory information by keeping a log of all that you encounter online about
yourself. To really keep a solid record, print out the comments and look into
who is posting it, whether it is anonymous or if the person has a name.
Sometimes sites will display the IP address for you, or can track it down by simply
looking online for ways on how to track an IP address. If there is one
particular person posting the incriminating evidence against you, track them
down and follow their moves or look up their personal accounts if any, like on
social networking sites, and gather the
information so that you can report it if needed.It is important that one know how to avoid and
possibly stop cyber slander online, by equipping themselves with certain
measures that can taken and then reported if it takes a turn for the worse.
b) Raj B Lonsane suggests that ignoring the attackers is
advisable since provoking them in a battle of confrontation, will only fuel
their desire to see you go down in flames. These attackers can create multiple
accounts and have their comments come at you from various identities, but
responding to these can cause more damage than good. The idea is that at some
point he/she will lose interest, but referring to point one as your approach
will be advisable since legal action can take its course and stop the attacker
in his/her tracks.
c) Google yourself and see what
kind of information turns up. If it is of a slanderous nature, get in touch
with the site that has the content and have them remove it. Post good things
about yourself to supersede the bad stuff, using ranking tricks that will push
the negative content far behind search results.
According to Raj b Lonsane, Cyber defamation is quite a damaging act to
involve oneself in, with many countries taking legal action if the acts are
taken to the right authorities. This form of cyber crime within courts has its
way of turning out well for victims, although sadly the damage has been done
already in most cases.