‘Bad’ Words Earn Blogger Big Fine

The Associated Press reports that a media watchdog group protested the conviction of an Italian blogger for defamation, warning Friday that such a verdict could lead to censorship of blogs in Italy.

Blogger Roberto Mancini, 59, was convicted of defamation last month in Aosta, northern Italy, and sentenced to pay $16,900 in fines and damages.

Four people, including two journalists, had filed a complaint against him over the content of his blog, which reports on local news in sarcastic and sometimes crude terms.

The problem for the legal authorities: How do you prove the guy actually made the post?

Read ‘Bad’ Words Earn Blogger Big Fine