Parents convicted for defaming school on social media
A court has sentenced three expatriate parents of students at a Filipino school to five months suspended jail term for defaming the school officials on social media.
That's not all - the court also ordered them to pay a fine of QR1,000 each, according to local Gulf Times.
Philippine School Doha had filed a defamation case against the parents, accusing them of defaming it through social media, after they demanded a reduction in the school fees, which the parents thought was "unjustifiably hiked."
Though the parents complained to the school management, the fee increase was eventually enforced. So the parents resorted to social media to vent their frustrations.
The lawyer representing the school said the parents made false personal attacks against the principal that alleged he was involved in illegal activities in Qatar.
The school management considered this bad for its reputation and an insult to the school management and filed the defamation case.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing before the court and said they only used their legitimate right to protest against the unacceptable hike.
Two other parents who reacted similarly were cleared of the charges.
Qatar has strict laws against defamation. Anything said in public, including social media platforms, that may negatively affect the reputation of an individual or cause emotional harm to their family is illegal. [Gulf Times]
but al jazeera can? or these posts where they only mention filipinos and other countries which they are not fond of
Brit: Very true!
And Fox News
Acchabaccha: I'll only say Bush and Blair to disprove your point
Brit: Even politicians or newspapers cannot make unsubstantiated accusations as they can be pulled to the court of law and face serious consequences.
They have a right to protest, but not to make unsubstantiated accusations against a person.
Only politicians and newspapers can do that :o)