Facebook gripes protected by free speech, ruling says

[Bob Hubbard]

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Student has a constitutional right to criticize her teacher on Facebook, magistrate says
• Student was suspended after creating Facebook page to gripe about a teacher
• Case is being closely watched by Internet experts and free-speech advocates
• Student has filed a lawsuit seeking to expunge her suspension

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/ptech/02/16/facebook.speech.ruling/index.html?iref=allsearch



Next thing you know they'll be insisting kids have other rights too.

 

[chaos1551]

Blah blah blah, drama drama drama. The student created a huge mess for herself that she didn't have to.

On a brighter note, I'm glad to see our first amendment upheld.

 

[grydth]

There was a somewhat similar incident in North Syracuse, NY last month. The criticism of the teacher was apparently more harsh, libelous according to the District. But the District then not only suspended the creator, but gave detentions to anyone who commented and even to those who only friended the site. Apparently all of these students were rounded up and brought to a room with administrators - and the school police officer - before any parents knew what was going on.

There was ferocious debate in the local paper (Post Standard) both in letters and forum. I would not be surprised to see court action on this one.