Monday, August 13, 2012
Facebook 'like' in court over free speech
FREEDOM of speech on Facebook is at the heart of an appeals court case in Virginia involving an elected sheriff who fired staff members who "liked" his rival on the social networking site.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) this week associated itself with the case in Newport News city, contending that the "like" button on Facebook is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
A US District Court judge ruled earlier this year that liking someone on Facebook was "insufficient speech to merit constitutional protection," and that Sheriff BJ Hampton was thus not breaking the law when he fired six staffers in his office who had "liked" his opponent in a 2009 election.
Hampton went on to win the election, but the six staff members he had dismissed - ostensibly for "unsatisfactory work" - proceeded to challenge his decision in court on free speech grounds.
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10 comments:
This isn't about:
Sheriff BJ Hampton; it is about
Sheriff BJ Roberts of Hampton, Virginia
Any employer should be free to hire or fire anyone for any reason. In this case, as he is an elected official, if people don't like what he is doing, they are free to "fire" him for whatever reason.
I wonder if there's some data as to how many peoples lives, careers, families, marraiges, etc. have been ruined by these so-called "social sites", and the apparent insatiable need for attention, (or is it simply a need to make fools of themselves) by the people who have become addicted to them.
Someday, people will realize that technology is indeed, a double-edged sword, and both sides are very sharp.
"social sites" more "junk" idiocy invented by the Yanks.
Again as with last time, the source article is unclear as to whether the case is about campaign staff or Sheriffs department staff.
If it were the latter, I would think that they would fall under civil service protections which would be far stronger than any constitutional claim in reguards to wrongfull firing. This leaves me wondering why they are persuing the free speach issue rather than a civil service complaint.
If this is campaign staff on the other hand, it shouldn't be a free speach issue for a political candidate to fire campaign workers who are publicly supporting the candidates opponent.
Anonymous 4:31 said...
"social sites" more "junk" idiocy invented by the Yanks..."
It's a lot better than being a nation of Muslim-loving, gutless pansys.
Sadly, this is really not as much an issue about freedom of speech, as it is of how an employer can fire you for your conduct while not at work.
It could probably be argued that employees could be fired for flaunting sexual exploits, committing violent or lewd acts, or activities that could directly cause the company financial harm. But for employees to get fired for simply voicing their POLITICAL BELIEFS--that is reprehensible.
Screw facebook use twitter
3.33 - and add to time-wasting "junk" social-sites (that also waste material/energy and other resources in real terms), the Yanks invented widespread obesity (with related diabetes and other life-threatening diseases), with their junk food and junk-food outlets that proliferate much of the world, often such chains being able to take over prime buildings in downtown areas of historic cities (then the whole area becomes littered with garbage from said fast-food garbage, and the idiots who frequent them, especially in the late evenings!).
Oh well, at least local mosques don't attract litter-bugs and late-night drunks, whatever else they attract (which you are no doubt about to tell me with much unsupported hyperbole).
This is like the dog biting the hand the feeds him.
You "like" the guy who wants to replace your boss? Get lost. You can ask HIM for your job back if he wins.
Leftist think free speech means freedom from the consequences of that speech (among believing that free speech is only for them). You are free to say what you like but you also have to be willing to except any negative consequences o fit as well. THAT is the price you pay for living in a free society!
You can say you hate me but don’t be surprised if I say I hate you back!
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