Thursday, April 26, 2012

Sandals Resort case study


When writing something online, it is automatically open for the public to read. There are no barriers and whatever you wrote is “fair game” for anyone else to stumble upon. Today, there are various viewpoints and opinions written about just about any topic you can think of. However, if one is to write something online anonymously, can they be held accountable?
I think this is clearly demonstrated in the court case concerning Sandals resort chain and an anonymous writer in May 2011. The issue at hand is that pseudo name, John Anthony sent messages to the Sandals resort chain referring that the hiring methods were inappropriate and unlawful from the email address jft3092@gmail.com. This individual went into detail abut the hiring methods. The NY Supreme Court Justice however said that Sandals was not entitled to the information that Anthony wrote and that is was not defamatory because it was an opinion. The case goes on and as it turns out, the court disagreed with resort chain for various reasons.

Is it ethical??

I think that people have the right to type with what they want within reason. Obviously, if it is defamatory then there is no question, it should not be written. It is unethical to talk poorly or inappropriately about a certain person or company in my opinion. Int his situation I think that the anonymous emailer should be penalized for talking badly about the company by a slap on the wrist- more of a warning. Otherwise, I think it is fair game, it really is just an opinion statement. To another individual their hiring methods maybe be appropatire. It is simply about who you ask.

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