Does the forum have to give names

[gustogirl]

What is the name of your state?
Michigan. We have a local argument going on between citizens and officals. Some posts on the forum have been inflammatory. People have posted wondering about one official because of his personal life. About his ability to govern as he rarely sees his children and has failed marriages and so force.
This official is now demanding to know the real names of all people posting on the forum. Can he do this? Does the moderator have to give the real names?
And can the official sue the posters for information that is true but not very nice?

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state?
Michigan. We have a local argument going on between citizens and officals. Some posts on the forum have been inflammatory. People have posted wondering about one official because of his personal life. About his ability to govern as he rarely sees his children and has failed marriages and so force.
This official is now demanding to know the real names of all people posting on the forum. Can he do this? Does the moderator have to give the real names?
And can the official sue the posters for information that is true but not very nice?

Can he do this?
Yes.

Does the moderator have to give the real names?
No.

And can the official sue the posters for information that is true but not very nice?
Anyone can sue anybody for anything at anytime anywhere. Whether he wins or not is another question. Public officials and public figures have very little protection against what people say about them.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Simple answer to the Forum administrator:

Tell the public official that if he wishes to open his personal life, his financial files and any other information that has been the subject of the flame attacks to iinspection so that a determination of liability can be made, you would be more than happy to entertain his request.