However, there are a number of defences against punishment for defamation.
This from that BBC website:
Quote:
Some of the defences have been amended by the latest legislation. The main ones are:
•Truth - the publisher must prove the comments are true
•Honest opinion - the opinion must be genuinely held and based on fact
•Privilege - the scope of this defence has been extended
•Publication in the public interest - a new defence.
I don't think my next comment applies to the other person who seems a pretty level-headed sort of chap, but no one should make the mistake of thinking that 'honest opinion' is some sort of catch-all that will cover any old trolling nonsense. You can't go all innocent-faced and pretend that ranting c**p is allowed. It has to be based on fact. Not based on belief, but based on fact.