Answer :
Final answer:
False, under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Internet service providers are not held responsible for defamatory postings by users. This contributes to freedom of expression online while providing legal protection for service providers from being held liable for user-generated content.
Explanation:
Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Internet service providers are not held responsible for defamatory postings by their users. This provision protects them from being liable for content created by third parties. It is part of a law that was designed to uphold freedom of expression on the Internet, while also allowing service providers to host content without the fear or risk of being held accountable for what users might post.
However, this does not mean that the media have the right to commit slander or libel, which are forms of defamation characterized by the intent to harm a person or entity by spreading false information. Newspapers and magazines navigate these waters by carefully vetting the stories they print, utilizing fact-checking, and often including disclaimers that certain opinions or perspectives do not necessarily reflect their own views.
The concept of actual malice comes into play especially when public figures are involved, demanding a higher standard of proof for defamation, as established by the seminal case of New York Times v. Sullivan. Individuals or companies defamed online can still seek legal action against the authors or initial posters of such content, but not against the platform or ISPs where the content was shared.
