Watch What You Tweet

NYT reports just now that a high-profile libel case involving a Conservative politician that the BBC had to settle has now ensnared many--maybe thousands--of Twitter posters who ran with a rumor about sexual abuse.  “Many people have had their reputations trashed on Twitter before, but nobody has decided to take action on this scale,” said Tim Lowles, a media lawyer in London.  If I understand this correct, those with less than 500 followers can fill out a form and apologize and maybe escape but others are not so lucky.  “This could have a chilling effect,” said Paul Bernal, a lecturer in media law at the University of East Anglia. “I know people who have said that they are not going to post as much because of this.”