Arab News has an interesting piece on how online defamation is upsetting many in Saudi Arabia. While there are laws that prohibit it, finding legal proof of authorship is proving a problem. The law, in itself, appears rather broad, with no clear definition of what comprises ‘defamation’, though the proposed penalties are certainly stiff enough.
Online defamation: You can get away with it
Hassna’a Mokhtar | Arab NewsJEDDAH: Circulate an e-mail or a text message implicating your business partner or spreading lies about your supervisor’s integrity and you can get away with it. The Cyber Crime Act (CCA), issued by Royal Decree M/18 on Rabi Al-Awwal 7, 1428AH, specifies that defamation on the Internet is against the law and that violators will be punished. However, legal consultant Saeed Al-Huresen says that online defamation still creates problems even though the law clearly lays down the penalty.
“The Cyber Crime Act has not been implemented effectively in order to combat online defamation crimes. These cases are new to Saudi society and the Arab world in general. We need qualified, trained people to deal with these new offenses,” said Al-Huresen.
He explains that online defamation is a statement made publicly, using computers and the Internet, in a way that damages the image or reputation of an individual, specific product, or entity.
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August:18:2008 - 09:40
This makes me want to commit “online defamation” just to see if I get a reaction. But, since I’m a guest on private property and not a public forum, I’ll abstain.
August:18:2008 - 09:40
Management appreciates your restraint!
I’m not actually looking to get this blog blocked in the KSA, after all…
August:18:2008 - 09:40
Malicious derogatory material defaming me was disseminated on the Internet from the Saudi Arabia National Guard headquarters in Riyadh by someone with access to their IP address. The perpetrator who is a non citizen has already been identified. He is a foreign contract worker. No matter the merits of his complaints against me, it does not justify to do what he did. Can he be sued in the courts of Saudi Arabia?