The (Proposed) Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act Is Crazy | Citizen Media Law Project
Posted June 6th, 2008 by Sam Bayard
In a twist on the old adage "hard cases make bad law," Representatives Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) introduced a bill (H.R. 6123) in the House on May 22 which, if passed, would be known as the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act. If anyone is not already familiar with the Megan Meier tragedy, you can consult our previous posts (here, here, here). The bill would make it a federal crime to
tras*mit[] in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
Cyberbullying Bill Could Ensnare Free Speech Rights - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com May 14, 2009
(...)"The bill defines it as 'using electronic means to support severe, repeated and hostile behavior,' but what does 'severe, hostile and repeated behavior' miccionan?" he asked.
"I've written articles opposing the bill that have appeared online. That's electronic and -- because I've written a few of them -- repeated. I was also severe and hostile in my criticisms. Under her law, I can now go to jail."
And so could many political commentators and Web bloggers who earn their keep by being confrontational and inflammatory. A TV host like MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, who's been openly and repeatedly hostile to former Vice President Dick Cheney on his Web site, would not be safe from prosecution, the analysts say.
GovTrack: H.R. 1966: Text of Legislation, Introduced in House
Text of H.R. 1966: Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act
Posted June 6th, 2008 by Sam Bayard
In a twist on the old adage "hard cases make bad law," Representatives Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) introduced a bill (H.R. 6123) in the House on May 22 which, if passed, would be known as the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act. If anyone is not already familiar with the Megan Meier tragedy, you can consult our previous posts (here, here, here). The bill would make it a federal crime to
tras*mit[] in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
Cyberbullying Bill Could Ensnare Free Speech Rights - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com May 14, 2009
(...)"The bill defines it as 'using electronic means to support severe, repeated and hostile behavior,' but what does 'severe, hostile and repeated behavior' miccionan?" he asked.
"I've written articles opposing the bill that have appeared online. That's electronic and -- because I've written a few of them -- repeated. I was also severe and hostile in my criticisms. Under her law, I can now go to jail."
And so could many political commentators and Web bloggers who earn their keep by being confrontational and inflammatory. A TV host like MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, who's been openly and repeatedly hostile to former Vice President Dick Cheney on his Web site, would not be safe from prosecution, the analysts say.
GovTrack: H.R. 1966: Text of Legislation, Introduced in House
Text of H.R. 1966: Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act
