Free Speech and more

Ever wonder why I never, ok rarely diss people on my blog? Because I am petrified of libel. You never know if they are reading it. And if I tell you that they, especially the ones with influence inversely proportional to their IQ, and yes, their influence is sweeping than yours or mine, think that a 2-penny blogger and her opinions are worthy of libel, what will you say? I bet nothing. You will just excuse yourself and laugh your guts out. Yes? But this poor sod living in Netherlands who I had not heard about until today, hasn’t been so lucky. He has tendered an apology. For what? For expressing his opinions of the coverage of the Mumbai Mayhem by some journalists, I refuse to name names, I have no idea what my rights are, but you can read a cached copy here [ scroll down all the way]. I am outraged at this blogger. Really, how could he say these things? That this is shoddy journalism? But how can it be, for they are admirable journos. He said that microphones were stuck in the faces of victim’s relatives and we all saw it on TV, didn’t we? But how can that be, for they are sensitive journos. He said sensitive information about where the hostages were, were broadcast and we all saw it on TV, live. But how can that be? They are ethical journos. He said information was extracted about hostages’ family. But how can that be? They are principled journos. He said it was unethical. But how can that be? They are venerable journos.

And how would admirable, sensitive, ethical, principled and venerable journalists react to an opinion of a blogger? By bringing on a libel suit of course. Because the last time I checked, libel, especially against public-figures, should involve malice. And there was in this blogger’s post. Actual malice and malevolence against a person or people. We just didn’t see it.