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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Sept. 6, 2005
/ 2 Elul, 5765
Blogging Ethics
By
Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir
Is the blogger responsible for defamatory posts?
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Q: Blogs provide an open forum for readers' comments. Is the blogger responsible for encouraging slander and other irresponsible contributions?
A: Web logs are at the frontiers of ethical thought,
since they are a relatively new medium which blur the
boundaries between existing media such as newspapers,
diaries, and so on.
Yet in many ways blogs are not new but are really a
throwback. The early "broadsheets" such as the Tatler
and Spectator of Addison and Steele in the early 18th
century were expressions of the personal views of the
authors on a wide variety of everyday topics of
current interest; they were very widely read and
distributed and served as the catalyst and basis for
innumerable conversations and discussions. The very
name "Tatler" suggests that the publishers were aware
of the sheets' potential for fostering gossip.
Many Jewish sources show a keen sensitivity for the
problem of encouraging or inciting gossip. The Talmud
tells us that the great Jewish sage and leader Rabbi
Yehuda the Nasi (Prince) commented on the beautiful
penmanship in the book of Psalms from which he was
teaching. The student who brought the book felt
obliged to mention, "I didn't write it, rather Rabbi
Yehuda Chaita wrote it." The teacher replied, "Desist
from such slander!" (1)
The explanation, as elaborated by Maimonides, is that
opening up a discussion of someone's abilities in a
public forum, even to praise him, is almost certain to
arouse negative reactions as well, since almost
everyone has detractors as well as admirers.
The ethical lesson of this prohibition is particularly
relevant in the case of private-life blogs. Rabbi
Yehuda Chaita (literally, "the tailor") was an
unassuming scholar; he had no interest in being a
topic of discussion, certainly not at the expense of
becoming an object of ridicule. For this reason
neighbors, friends, and co-workers are not suitable
topics of discussion on blogs.
However, we have to make a suitable exception in the
case of public figures or aspects of a person's life
which are intentionally opened to the public. When
someone runs for public office, he surely expects,
even wants, others to openly discuss his
qualifications for office, whether positive or
negative. Likewise, if someone makes a public speech
or publishes something it is fair to assume that he is
willing to have his ideas weighed in the "court of
public opinion", with its self-appointed lawyers for
defense and prosecution alike. Any serious scholar is
grateful for the insights gleaned from critics.
Certainly the Jewish Ethicist is delighted to have
current or archived columns mentioned on any blog to
which my ideas might make a contribution. This is not
despite the potential for negative reactions but
precisely because of it, for the only way to improve
and grow is to be open to public discussion and
criticism. This is a good opportunity for me to thank
the many readers who are constantly writing me with
both positive and negative criticism of my columns.
Unfortunately I am unable to respond to all my mail,
but be reassured that I do read all the letters I
receive.
Blogs are not an appropriate forum for mentioning the
virtues and foibles of unassuming people we encounter
in everyday life. These people don't seek our praise
and are justifiably mortified to be criticized in the
public square of cyberspace. However, public figures
must, and generally do, reconcile themselves to the
fact that their message will be lacking in consistency
and impact if they don't open it to public debate.
Bloggers may generally assume that these individuals
are willing to be discussed on blogs as long as basic
standards of journalistic ethics are maintained,
including attribution of facts, right to make a reply,
and so on.
SOURCES: (1) Babylonian Talmud Bava Basra 164b. (2)
Maimonides commentary on Mishnah Avos 1:16; Chafetz
Chaim I 9:1.
Personal note to my readers: Many of you are aware
that in February we came out with the Jewish Ethicist
book, published by Ktav. (SEE LINKS BELOW) The book includes expanded
and edited versions of some of the most popular
columns as well as a general introduction, chapter
introductions, and some new material. The book has
received outstanding reviews from Booklist, the Jewish
Press, the Jerusalem Post, and shamash.org and is the
topic of a feature article in the New Jersey Jewish
News.
The book is being sold on the Amazon and Barnes &
Noble websites, but no readers have yet contributed
their own reviews. These reviews are a significant
help to potential customers. I encourage anyone who
has seen the book to provide a public service and
share your impressions, whatever they may be, with
potential readers who visit these important sites.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes inspiring articles. Sign up for our daily update. It's free. Just click here.
THE JEWISH ETHICIST, NOW IN BOOK FORM
You've enjoyed his columns on JWR for years. Now the Jewish Ethicist has culled his most intriguing — and controversial — offerings in book form.
HARDCOVER
PAPERBACK
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JWR contributor Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, formerly of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Reagan
administration, is Research Director of the Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem, Jerusalem College of Technology.
To comment or pose a question, please click here.
© 2005, The Jewish Ethicist is produced by the JCT Center for Business Ethics
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