Would You Identify An Anonymous Blogger for Prosecutors?
Jonathan D. Glatner has a post in the July 15, 2008, New York Times online headlined "At the Uneasy Intersection of Bloggers and the Law."
According to Glatner:
A grand jury subpoena sent by prosecutors in the Bronx [New York, USA] earlier this year sought information to help identify people blogging anonymously on a Web site about New York politics called Room 8.It's something to think about. What would you do if you received such a letter from a prosecutor?"The subpoena carried a warning in capital letters that disclosing its very existence “could impede the investigation being conducted and thereby interfere with law enforcement” — implying that if the bloggers blabbed, they could be prosecuted.
That's an interesting question, as mentioned earlier I know a local forum owner who is facing that situation.
If it appeared to involve a real threat of harm I'd have to admit I probably would divulge the information. If it was a scenario where a politician or other public official was upset about something posted about him or her and wanted the identity to exact some type of revenge, I'd be much more hesitant. That type of a situation would be one I'd fight in court.
Many times those that post anonymously do so out of a fear of retribution against them from a public or others.
Posted by: LisaRenee | Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 09:28 PM