Italy's Cassation Court ruled
Tuesday that Facebook posts and comments are as liable to
prosecution for libel as comments published in the press.
Italy's top appellate court said "the act of posting a comment
(on social media constitutes) its publication and circulation"
and this makes it liable under anti-defamation laws. In so
doing, it upheld a 1,500-euro fine against an Italian Red Cross
(CRI) staffer who called CRI President Francesco Rocca a
"parasite" and a "worm" in comments posted on Facebook in
December 2010. The staffer is currently on leave, sources said.
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