Dear Editor,

The proliferation of cellular phones and the propensity of social media influencers to malign, slander and libel public officials as well as ordinary Jamaicans through the various social media platforms need some urgent legal deterrent.

The libel laws which deal with cases of individuals being slandered and libelled by comments made against them should give recourse and redress in the courts through civil litigation. However, the pushback is that most of the people on social media who are making libellous comments against others are individuals devoid of resources that could compensate an aggrieved person if a successful civil judgment is made.

It is my humble opinion that because most of the individuals who are guilty of libel and slander of others do not have the resources to compensate the affected persons, the vast majority of whom are impacted see it as a waste of time and resources to pursue civil litigation. They know that you can’t take clothes off a naked man or collect taxes from an empty shop.

I think the time is ripe to legislate criminal libel. Reckless people must be made to understand that they can’t hide behind their poverty and ignorance to damage and destroy the good name and reputation of others.

The mud-slinging that goes on social media among many poor Jamaicans needs to be curtailed. I know that legislation alone won’t change behaviour entirely, but it is a good place to start.

I urge the parliamentarians as well as the Constitutional Reform Committee to give this aspect of our law some serious study and review. The word is always love for decency, truth and respect.

Andre’ Wellington, JP

Christiana

Manchester

andrewellington344@yahoo.com