Message Board

[khetp]

A message board administrator ban a user for expressing his views; including banning his IP. The views contain no violation of laws or the policies of the forum. Does this violates the user's freedom of Speech. The administrator claims he is a private operator and can do whatever he wants.

Can the administrator of a private message board post pictures of school athletes without the consent of the school district, parents, or the students? The administrator claims he has the rights since the pictures are public property.

Can the administrator of a private message board/forum post names and disciplinary actions of students without the consent of the school district, parents, and student?

 

[jharris352]

Posters have no expectation to "free speech" on a private board. Governments have to allow free speech, private boards do not.

As long as the pictures are not being used for commercial purposes pictures of students taken in public situations are in the public domain. If they are being used for commercial purposes the student's parents can warn the board to cease and desist and they must stop.

The administrator can post names and disciplinary actions of students if they were not illegally obtained. If he/she obtained them in a public manner then they are fair game.

 

[CdwJava]

Beat me to it!

A similar thing occurred here just a couple of weeks ago where some kids were suspended and kicked off the football team for drinking at a party after a game that was busted by the po-po. In this case, it was someone on MySpace spreading the embarrassing images and information, but, it was all legal.

Kids need to remember - everyone has a camera, it is in the cell phone, folks!

- Carl