Europe To Force Right of Reply On Internet Communication

David Buck writes "Today, the Council of Europe (an influential quasi-governmental body that drafts conventions and treaties) is to finalize a proposal that would force all Internet news organizations, moderated mailing lists and even web logs (blogs) to allow a right of response to any person or organization they criticize. This would mean that you would be required to post the responses as well as authenticate their origin and make the responses available for some period of time. This will likely have a chilling effect on Internet communication (at least in Europe)."

Well, I thought..

[CrazyDuke]

Maybe it is only a US policy, but I thought "We will sue you!" letters from the organization's lawyers was the standard reply.

Right to reply? Certanly.

[Unknown Poltroon]

They can write their reply on their check they send me to pay for my monthly web-hosting costs.

Slashdot the web?

[danormsby]

So if the whole web works like slashdot we're covered? People can comment on any article if it refers to them or not.

Thanks Council of Europe.

[grub]

.. Now everytime someone says "Jon Katz sucks" he'll feel obligated to reply.

wow

[Apreche]

This would make like a reply from MS on every single /. story a requirement.

But I bet no matter what they say MS's replies will be spelled correctly.

goatsx

[CyberGarp]

What if someone complains about people who post offensive postings and gets a reply from goatsx? Do they have to post his reply? Maybe goatsx has a use after all, like irritating these lawmakers.

M$

[kjba]

Does this mean we will get M$ commenting on every /. post concerning them?

YOU FAIL IT!

[Anonymous Coward]

Unfortunately for you, this is not the first post! You are a pathetic FAILURE!

YOU FAIL IT!

In compliance with the EU Right of Reply Directive, you are granted the right to offer a counter-version or reply. Please click on the "Reply to This" hyperlink. Your counter-version or reply will be made available thru a clearly visible hyperlink which will be attached to this post.

Chilling effect...

[Daetrin]

This will likely have a chilling effect on Internet communication

Because well all know that having to listen to the other guy talk back to you totally kills that whole communication thing. Nothing like having to consider both sides of an issue to ruin your pleasant complacency.

Besides, everyone would rather pay up or remove offending information due to libel suits instead, right?

Re:Newspapers too?

[stephenbooth]

Typically, here in the UK, articles criticising some person or company who is out of favor will appear on the front few pages probably in 16 point print with a 36 point or more headline and a photo to draw attention to it. After the PCC has ruled any correction will typically be printed on page 37 with a 10 point headline, body text 4-6 point, and not graphic between an advert for haemerroid cream and an article about someone who has grown an amusingly shaped vegetable (usually a turnip or swede).

Stephen

This goes further

[Anonymous Coward]

Not only do the lawyers send the C&D letter, but you also have to at least link to their letter on your site. I'm looking forward to church-affiliated web sites having to give equal time to Satanists. This ought to be fun.