Welcome to the NewsRoom at permachat.co.uk, the UK's premier online current affairs forum!

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Current Host: Chris2.

Current topic: Ukip politician Michael Keith-Smith has been awarded £10,000 in libel damages after a college lecturer falsely branded him a "lard brain", then a "Nazi" and a "racist bigot" on an internet message board during a discussion about the Iraq war. Is it a sensible application of existing law, or should you be able to say what you like in a chatroom? What do you think?

Bronco: sticks & stones will brake me bones.

anonimous_poster: shut it, u nazi.

capitalistpiglet: the message board in question only had 100 members. The size of the award is ridiculous.

Host_Chris2: most cases like this are settled out of court, but I think the ruling has huge implications for ISPs.

HOORAY_4_WAR: IF IT ENCOURAGES MORE RESPONSIBLE POSTING I AM IN FAVOUR.

anonimous_poster: u r a peadofile.

Bronco: LOL.

Host_Chris2: permachat's owners and moderators are not liable for remarks made in its chatrooms, btw.

capitalistpiglet: actually I think they are

Pashmina has entered the NewsRoom

Pashmina: hi room.

Bronco: hi pash

Host_Chris2: Pashmina, what implications does the recent internet libel victory hold for you?

capitalistpiglet: people use pseudonyms in chatrooms precisely so they can say contentious things. That's the point.

Pashmina: non becos im always nice

anonimous_poster: fat lump.

Pashmina: is that u LadeezMan?

anonimous_poster: yes.

Host_Chris2: but in this case the defendant only moved to act when the abuse worsened. Properly moderated chatrooms usually remove defamatory comment.

HOORAY_4_WAR: EVERYONE ON HERE IS AN IDIOT.

capitalistpiglet: I disapprove of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

HOORAY_4_WAR: THANKS MORON.

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