"A unique democratizing medium"
DOVER, Del. -- In a decision hailed by free-speech advocates, the Delaware Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed a lower court decision requiring an Internet service provider to disclose the identity of an anonymous blogger who targeted a local elected official.
Given the sorts of discussions that have occurred on our sites, on your sites, and in our newsroom, I thought you'd be interested in the court case. Not applicable outside of Delaware, of course, but still.
According to AP's story, Delaware Chief Justice Myron Steele "described the Internet as a 'unique democratizing medium unlike anything that has come before,' and said anonymous speech in blogs and chat rooms in some instances can become the modern equivalent of political pamphleteering."
Despite this ruling, we prefer that commenters remain civil and keep their name-calling and abusive thoughts to themselves.