Our Watchdog must Be Sleeping

Aug. 21, 2009 - PRLog -- We live in a world that is completely dependant on the Internet. In most cases, the internet is used to serve us, to benefit us, and to even protect us in certain circumstances. But that isn’t always the case with the internet. At times it can be used to hurt our business, slander our names, and post false things about us on a world wide basis. Some call this slander freedom of speech, some call it a given right, but others like small business owners call it illegal. And to a certain degree, it is illegal.

When someone posts false information on a blog or on an internet posts, it is called Libel. Libel is the written version of slander. Business owners across the world have to deal with this on a daily basis. Because there are laws written to protect internet bloggers, there isn’t much that the business world can do.

ApplianceZone.com is just one example of how Libel can affect the mentality and stability of a business. It was noted that within 24 hours of a certain slanderous blog being posted, business dropped almost 4 percent. To many, that may not seem like much of a drop, but when you are talking thousands of dollars, it becomes a much larger number.

I have noted personally one website that allows slanderous remarks to be posted.RipOffReport.com. This is a growing company owned by ex con Ed Magedson, a known extortion artists. Ed, allows consumers to post remarks about a company or individual that may or may not be the complete truth. He does no research on the background of these remarks. Ed refuses to remove any posts off of the site; instead he has come up with a customer advocate program for business to “ fix “ the problem. However once the issue is fixed, the remark still stays on the site. Meaning the name of that business is permanently marked. It is rumored, that to remove the comment, Ed will charge thousands of dollars and still not guarantees its removal. This is called Extortion.

Freedom of speech is one of America’s most prized freedoms, and has been fought for time and time again. I support freedom of speech in every aspect, but I do not support Libel, and I do believe that those guilty of libel should be punished in a court of law. Many would argue this point saying that even if it is not true, freedom of speech still protects these people who post the defamatory remarks.

In once situation I read about a doctor who had been accused of being a child molester by his neighbor. The neighbor, being upset with the doctor went to rip off report about this outlandish rumor. The doctor was tried in a court of law and found innocent according to DNA test taken from the child. This doctor went to rip off report and informed Ed of the outcome. He still would not remove the comment without being paid a large amount.

Because our Government will not have such sites removed from the internet, who will protect us from such accusations and threats from the World Wide Web? It is almost as if the internet needs a  better watch dog.

The watchdog we have now is sleeping.

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ApplianceZone.com was started in 2008 by CEO, Jim Allen. This is a business completey Internet based that sells parts for everyday Appliances. We are known for our low prices, friendly customer service, and quick shipping.