Internet Insults
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:39 pm
Johannesburg - To insult someone on the internet can be as detrimental as doing so in person.
This is what Duane Brady from Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, realised when he had to appear in die Kliptown Magistrate's Court on a charge of crimen injuria on Wednesday.
Brady apparently made rude remarks about his wife's friend, Danielle Cox, on the social network Facebook.
Captain Phillemon Khorombi, police spokesperson, said Brady did not plead and was currently in custody until his bail application on Wednesday.
Faan Coetzee, a Johannesburg lawyer, said the same rules applied in cyberspace as to an ordinary conversation or a newspaper.
"If you write something on Facebook or on a website, it's as good a shouting it from a stage.
"You mustn't think what you say on the web is less serious or less valid.
"If you are then charged and wanted to argue that it was a joke, you'll have to prove it - as you would have to do in any other case."
- Beeld
This is an article in the news paper about an incident which will make one think next time before you speak your mind about someone even on a site like this, sometimes people make humiliating comments about others and make it of as a joke but it can become quite an expensive joke at the end of the day! From what I have heard this guy is still behind bars.
These days it seem to be a case of : Think twice and type once!
This is what Duane Brady from Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, realised when he had to appear in die Kliptown Magistrate's Court on a charge of crimen injuria on Wednesday.
Brady apparently made rude remarks about his wife's friend, Danielle Cox, on the social network Facebook.
Captain Phillemon Khorombi, police spokesperson, said Brady did not plead and was currently in custody until his bail application on Wednesday.
Faan Coetzee, a Johannesburg lawyer, said the same rules applied in cyberspace as to an ordinary conversation or a newspaper.
"If you write something on Facebook or on a website, it's as good a shouting it from a stage.
"You mustn't think what you say on the web is less serious or less valid.
"If you are then charged and wanted to argue that it was a joke, you'll have to prove it - as you would have to do in any other case."
- Beeld
This is an article in the news paper about an incident which will make one think next time before you speak your mind about someone even on a site like this, sometimes people make humiliating comments about others and make it of as a joke but it can become quite an expensive joke at the end of the day! From what I have heard this guy is still behind bars.
These days it seem to be a case of : Think twice and type once!
