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Avoiding libel as a blogger

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If you've got a blog or you use Squidoo or tweet or publish online, somewhere in the back of your head you need to pay attention to what it means to libel someone.

Glasser on libel

International Libel and Privacy Handbook: A Global Reference for Journalists, Publishers, Webmasters, and Lawyers, Second Edition

International Libel and Privacy Handbook: A Global Reference for Journalists, Publishers, Webmasters, and Lawyers, Second Edition

Amazon Price: $27.30 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

This book is not a watered-down simplification, nor is it a child's toy. It is the tool of choice for journalists, publishers and professionals who write about other people.

It's pretty simple: if you ever choose to write about someone in a less than positive light, you can save yourself a great deal of time and money if you'll take a few minutes to read this book first.

Reader Feedback

  • RhondaSueDavis Aug 31, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
    The amazon review is helpful in describing more about the book. I do wonder how long it would be relevant with how quickly the online world is morphing. Gonna see if the local library is willing to get a copy. I would get it on Kindle if I purchased it myself, and there is an option to purchase it from your link above that way.
  • jfreemon Jul 31, 2009 @ 6:54 am | delete
    Definitely enjoyed the lenses and I'll keep it in the back of my mind as a newly-found blogger!
  • Cash_Flow Jul 2, 2009 @ 11:09 am | delete
    this is something fantastic.. thanks for the info..
  • CustomSoap May 17, 2009 @ 6:53 pm | delete
    Great lens! Awesome tips! 5 star rating!

    We would love to have you check out our Custom Soap lens!

    Hope to see you there =)
  • johnrapp Feb 13, 2009 @ 3:03 am | delete
    I didn't realize libel was something to be concerned about as a blogger. That's a good point, but I have a hard time imagining someone suing someone else for words exchanged online. Okay, I can imagine it, but I can't really see them winning the case. But having not read this book, I really don't know much about it.

    I did expect some more content on here for this being your highest rated lens. Why is this so popular, is it the fundraiser thing?
  • Coh-Crou Feb 12, 2009 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    Agreed. Negative things cannot live without the attention we tend to give to them. Focus on the good and it shall breathe instead.
  • Feb 11, 2009 @ 1:37 pm | delete
    Hi Seth,

    You are so important to me! I take to heart what you've said here about libel and your daily blog today was also pertinent to me. "Make the World Smaller" encourages me to live big in my small niche (bipolar health treatment plan, a safety net of sorts). I wish I had your email address because I heard you say that you answer all your hundreds of emails every day!

    You're definitely the best blogger in the world, Seth, and I admire you...
  • access2 Feb 10, 2009 @ 3:21 am | delete
    Injurious statements are libelous if they are untrue. Simply put : Don't lie.
  • 0ctavias0fferings Feb 4, 2009 @ 7:24 am | delete
    Often you can safeguard yourself by putting what you would like to say in the form of a question or using 'some people might think' but in the main never say anything you aren't certain can be 100% backed up factually.
    If something is a suspicion without foundation or evidence (urban myth, rumour, grassy knolls etc) then stay away from it, though if there are other folks out there on the internet spreading a rumour you could reference that 'rumour factory' without implying that you agree with it.
    Lateral thinking can get you around most things.
  • CCGAL Feb 3, 2009 @ 9:29 am | delete
    Wow, ask and ye shall receive. Many thanks for this reference; much appreciated.
  • jdpugsle Jan 24, 2009 @ 5:26 pm | delete
    Great lens Seth! Congradulations on making the 100 lenses. That is an achievement that not everyone can do. So, you should be proud. Your a lens master my friend. Now about your lens I was impressed. It was short & sweet. More important it was to the point. There are some many that miss this.

    jdpugsle
  • ArtByLinda Jan 24, 2009 @ 10:48 am | delete
    Reminds me of the old saying from Bambi (I think), "if you can't say nothin' nice, don't say nothin' at all!
  • seedplanter Jan 24, 2009 @ 1:56 am | delete
    Timely subject, Seth. I heard yesterday about a blogger who lost his job because he felt a need to mouth off about someone he worked with. A shame, especially when jobs these days are scarce.
  • MeganCasey Jan 13, 2009 @ 3:26 pm | delete
    Thanks Seth.

    It would be cool if people who have read this could share some quick tips for everyone who hasn't (yet).

    But I guess the simplest shortcut is just: Don't go negative! Any time I feel inclined to, I stop and say something positive about someone else instead.
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sethgodin

Seth Godin is the bestselling author of 13 books. He writes about marketing, the spread of ideas and managing both customers and employees with respec... more »

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