A public spreadsheet entitled "SHITTY MEDIA MEN" circulated on Wednesday and Thursday, quickly becoming a place for women to share their experiences of abuse and harassment.
It's a significant step in the wake of major sexual assault accusations against Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein, who was able to avoid public scrutiny for years. The feeling of empowerment, however, is tempered by a stark realization: even just looking at such a document can have legal ramifications.
"Anyone on that list could sue for libel. And anyone contributing to the list would be a potential defendant," said media law professor Chip Stewart via Twitter direct message. "Labeling someone a rapist or sexual harasser is making a statement of fact. It's not enough to say 'it's only a rumor I heard.' You're going to be subject to lawsuits if you're the person who spreads the rumor. Or the person who created the document in the first place. Or if you republish it." Read more...
More about Google, Anonymous, Apps And Software, Google Docs, and Blindvia Zero Tech Blog
