Question I wonder

[Catito]

I wonder how others handle this:

You are from a particular area. You read a post from a person outside of your area (say, California posting on Florida or vice versa). You read a comment about a dive operation that you disagree with--that is, someone recommends a dive operation that you will NEVER use again due to personal experience. Do you jump in or let it slide to avoid litigation?

We have good operations in South Florida and BAD operations that I refuse to ever (ever) use again. Sit back and keep quiet or...

 

[Still Kicking]

No right or wrong answer (assuming you give accurate facts) but I would at least give a shout out to the businesses that you have personally had good experiences with. Great service should be promoted.

 

[Jonah Kowall]

I like to read reviews of operators and dive sites, similar to reading museum or restaurant reviews. It's your opinion based on your experience, I would not be worried about litigation from those reviews as that kind of thing doesn't happen. I have already posted here about unsafe operators and WHY they are unsafe IMO. I would like to hear your opinions of operators

 

[boulderjohn]

I am not an attorney, but unless you outright lie, litigation is not something to worry about. You can give honest reviews telling what you believe. You can describe events that you saw happen, provided you don't lie. Truth is almost always an absolute defense.

I would say the majority of reviews are from people who had no more than a few experiences, and I think most people who read reviews understand that. It would not be surprising for someone to give a review that is contrary to your opinion, and it would not be surprising for you to write a contrary opinion.

 

[Still Kicking]

Truth is almost always an absolute defense.

Thanks to the First Amendment

 

[tarponchik]

Thanks to the First Amendment

Only protects from the government.

 

[Still Kicking]

Only protects from the government.

I see your point. But truth is an absolute defense, correct? Has anyone ever been successfully sued for defamation if they can prove their statements were true?

 

[tarponchik]

I see your point. But truth is an absolute defense, correct? Has anyone ever been successfully sued for defamation if they can prove their statements were true?

Well, I just read a comment in the next thread

 

[Still Kicking]

Well, I just read a comment in the next thread

Someone should have engaged the ACLU.

In terms of the First Amendment, are the courts not considered a branch of the government?

 

[tarponchik]

Someone should have engaged the ACLU.

In terms of the First Amendment, are the courts not considered a branch of the government?

Yes, courts are included. However, the truth is what the court decides to be the truth.