Digital Commons Network^™

Twibel Law: What Defamation And Its Remedies Look Like In The Age Of Twitter, Ellyn M. Angelotti

Ellyn M Angelotti

In six years, the Twitter audience has quickly grown to 140 million users who can instantly publish to a global audience. The informal nature of conversations on Twitter makes it a ripe environment for the spreading of rumors and potential falsehoods. While a few Twibel suits have been brought to the forefront, the courts have yet to rule on a case in the United States. This article presents a hypothetical situation where an influential Twitter user posts false content about a local restaurant that rapidly spreads online. This results in the restaurant's demise. The defamed party considers bringing a defamation …