People do not have a right to their own opinions.

[niin]

I think, people don't have a right to have an opinion.

 

I came to this opinion by the following logic:

 

1) A "right" is something that can't be taken away.

2) A "opinion" is a public stating of information, that is hear and believed.

3) An opinion can be taken away (prevented).

 

k) Opinions can't be a right.

[cwes99_03]

I actually don't need to look up law to respond to most of this.

 

You have stated correctly what is prohibited.

 

However, you have not pointed out that there are about 5-6 defences in which you are allowed to commit 'libel'. One of which is if you honestly beliefed it to be true and the statement was not made with mallice.

 

defenses

 

I thought that was covered above, and as I have taken one side of the debate, it is not my duty to do the work for the other side.

 

The one defense you mentioned is actually not fully developed.

You are not allowed to commit 'libel'. You are allowed free speech. That speech cannot be considered 'libel' (libel refers to print, slander refers to speech) if you have good reason to believe what you say, and can demonstrate such reason in a court of law. This applies to all people as private citizens. However, news agencies which are required to do the leg work and publish articles without bias and with only what can be attributed as truth due to research are subjected to more stringent guidlines on libel. Either way, you are not allowed to say/print anything just because you believe it to be true, you have to provide reason for such a belief.