Defamatory statements published on Internet bulletin boards, e-mails, and the like, are considered libel due to the somewhat permanent nature of the medium. This often is vital to a successful suit for defamation as damages are presumed to exist in the case of libel and do not have to be proven to the court. The remaining question becomes who should be sued. This is the hard part. Sections of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 and several court
decisions provide protections to Internet service providers and bulletin board operators. Such parties generally are considered to be immune from suits
brought to make up for the harm done by such statements. However, they may be held liable if it can be shown that they exercised editorial or full control of
the material posted or transmitted or, at least, had knowledge of the specific defamatory contents. Such a showing has proven very difficult to accomplish.
Think about it
Why do you think it has been so difficult for people to win libel suits against Internet bulletin board operators or Internet service providers?