The Ottawa-Carleton District College Board (OCDSB) is locked in a court docket battle to compel social media website Reddit to show over figuring out data of a consumer who it alleges has been defaming workers at an area elementary college.
The board alleges the posts about ongoing points at Pinecrest Public College had been made in an try and defame staff “for some unknown ulterior motive.” Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in court docket.
The board desires Reddit to offer any e mail addresses, cellphone numbers, location knowledge and different figuring out details about the consumer. In a press release, it mentioned it was compelled by its “unwavering dedication to making a constructive and supportive setting for all members of the OCDSB group.”
Reddit argues handing over the knowledge will create a chill amongst different customers, explaining in its court docket filings that “anonymity isn’t just a consumer desire however a defining function of Reddit’s enterprise mannequin and identification.”
Many of the feedback in query had been in response to discussions round information tales concerning the board and issues at particular faculties. A number of concerned particular incidents and ongoing points at Pinecrest Public College which were reported within the media.
A number of the feedback singled out the college’s principal and a superintendent, the board mentioned in its court docket filings.
Reddit’s court docket filings point out 51 feedback by the consumer in 17 totally different conversations.
Person alleged OCDSB did not report violence, racism
Based on the OCDSB, the “false and defamatory” feedback started on Dec. 17, 2022. Naming particular person workers members, the consumer accused them of failing to report incidents, stifling investigations and ignoring cases of racism.
Based on the board, the feedback had been dishonest, disrespectful and created a poisonous work setting. The nameless consumer additionally insinuated that workers members had “acquiesced within the perpetration of racist acts on the college,” the board mentioned.
Throughout a prolonged Reddit thread about a high school student who died after being stabbed in Nepean final Could, the consumer accused an OCDSB superintendent of ignoring security issues within the district. In a response to a different consumer, the person being sought by the board described themselves as a instructor.
The board mentioned it is contemplating a defamation lawsuit in opposition to the particular person chargeable for posting the feedback.
However Reddit denies OCDSB’s declare that the knowledge is “crucial for it to find out whether or not to pursue a possible declare for defamation.”
OCDSB ‘vigorously defending’ staff
In response to CBC’s request for remark, OCDSB communications supervisor Diane Pernari mentioned the board is dedicated to “vigorously defending our staff in opposition to unfounded assaults and upholding our authorized and moral obligations.”
She wrote the authorized motion underscores the board’s “unwavering dedication to making a constructive and supportive setting for all members of the OCDSB group.”
Generally known as a Norwich Order, the board’s utility seeks to compel a 3rd celebration to offer details about alleged wrongdoing, even when the third celebration is not instantly concerned within the wrongdoing.
Reddit didn’t reply to a request for remark. Legal professionals for each events are anticipated to have one other court docket date later this yr.
Court docket to contemplate free speech, defamation
Ottawa-based lawyer Karin Web page mentioned the college board must show the consumer’s feedback had been defamatory, moderately than simply crucial of its insurance policies.
Web page mentioned the court docket might want to steadiness the general public curiosity in defending nameless speech in opposition to the board’s must defend itself in opposition to alleged defamation.
“There is a distinction between somebody simply voicing their opposition to a coverage or … to the federal government, or to disclosing their very own private conditions,” she mentioned. “There is a distinction between that and making defamatory statements on-line.”
She added the very fact the feedback named or recognized particular people is regarding, because it makes it troublesome for these individuals to defend themselves.
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