Gads! "My" FAQ is being threatened with a libel suit! -- growing up pains

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

> From: teshima () uhunix3 uhcc Hawaii Edu (Lani Teshima-Miller)
> Subject: Gads! "My" FAQ is being threatened with a libel suit!
> Organization: University of Hawaii


> I just got a call from the director of our system, who was contacted
> by an attorney representing someone who was given a very negative
> review by a contributor for the FAQ I compile (does this make sense)?
>
> I took over the maintenance of the FAQ a few months ago, and have
> lceaned it up considerably--including making sure all personal
> opinions are attributable to a 'net person who sends the info to me.
> But the person who USED to do this before did not. So basically, it
> *sounds* like it's my opinion, eh?
>
> What is the 'net wisdom about a situation like this? The director has
> already told me that, in essence, it might be better if he DOES sue,
> so that the institution can say "hey--we're not responsible for what
> our account holders say over the 'net." But I really don't want to
> deal with being sued--bleaugh! Anyone have any wise thoughts or
> suggestions?
> --
> Lani Teshima-Miller (teshima () uhunix uhcc Hawaii edu) "Sea Hare"  o/ /_/_/
> UH School of Library & Info Studies. "Whatever the cost of our   o|<0_0>------*
> libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant      \=^-| |_| |
> nation." -Walter Cronkite         [r.a.b. FAQer: "Think Ink!"]         \_} \_}