#whisper network

[rapeculturerealities]

Columnist behind s****y media men list could go to trial for defamation

‘Defendant’s testimony simply highlights that she does not recall what she said or wrote to others regarding the Spreadsheet,’ judge writes in court order

The journalist behind the “s****y media men” list, which documented a range of allegations from sexual assault to general misconduct, could end up going to trial for defamation after a judge denied a motion for immunity.

Moira Donegan, 32, created the online spreadsheet during the #MeToo movement in 2017. She was sued by journalist Stephen Elliott for defamation after the list included allegations of rape, sexual harassment, and “coercion” against him.

Mr Elliot’s lawsuit states that the claims are “false” and “unsubstantiated”.

Roberta Kaplan, Ms Donegan’s lawyer, asked for immunity for her client under a law that protects social media users hosting or republishing information from being held accountable for what others post.

US District Court Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall rejected the request in an order on Thursday, saying that Ms Donegan’s testimony and “vague” memories of the document didn’t “rule out” that she could have encouraged others to publish posts in violation of the law, according to DailyMail.com.

While this means that the case could still go to trial, it could also be solved by the judge on “other grounds”.

Before it was taken down, more than 70 men appeared on the list. Mr Elliott is seeking $1.5m in damages. He appears to be the only one of the men listed who has sued Ms Donegan.

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[the-bibliophiles-bookshelf]

Book no.13 2020: Whisper Network by Chandler Baker.  Such a solid and crucial concept. We all have been or know people who have been assaulted at work by men with more power than them and tackling that without losing our jobs or reputations is so extremely difficult. This book doesn’t sugar coat that and it doesn’t make the women in this book saints - because we don’t have to be to not deserve assault. Add me on goodreads to chat more. Buy this book here.

[ninjapumpkinalien]

Can’t Wait Wednesday features these great books I found at the library!

[wolfpangs]

How did we know when behavior was inappropriate? We just did. Any woman over the age of fourteen probably did. Believe it or not, we didn't want to be offended. We weren't sitting around twiddling our thumbs waiting for someone to show up and offend us so that we would have something to do that day. In fact, we made dozens of excuses not to be. We gave the benefit of the doubt. We took a man's comment about the way our high heels made our calves look as well intentioned. We understood the desire for us to draw a line in the sand--this was okay, this was not okay. No such line existed, or at least not one that we could paint. But trust that by the time we were working, our meters had been tested dozens of times over. We were experts in our field.

Whisper Network, Chandler Baker

[labelleizzy]

Thank you, Bear. This is super clear and easy to follow and, I’m sorry that I can say this, true in my experience. Gaslighting sucks and emotionally abusive behaviors are not okay.

[rapeculturerealities]

Instagram Won’t Say Whether It Will Protect The Identity Of An Anonymous Account Sharing #MeToo Allegations

Emails seen by BuzzFeed News show that Instagram offered support and reassurances to anonymous accounts naming sexual harassers — and then walked back when the courts got involved.

Instagram has refused to say whether it will comply with a court order to provide the identity of whoever is running an anonymous account sharing #MeToo stories of abuse in India’s art world.

The company told BuzzFeed News it could not comment on the order made in an Indian court as the case was still before judges, but said that it always cooperates with law enforcement.

If Instagram complies with the order, it could set a dangerous precedent for its policy on revealing the identities behind anonymous accounts.

At the center of the case is an Instagram account called Scene and Herd, or @herdsceneand, which has anonymously posted stories of alleged abuse in the India’s art world since last year.

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[rapeculturerealities]

When The 'Whisper Network' Goes Public: The 'S****y Media Men' List, 2 Years On

In 2017, a crowdsourced spreadsheet gave women the opportunity to anonymously share allegations against prominent figures in journalism and publishing. One writer has filed a defamation lawsuit.

In 2017, the "S****y Media Men" list began making the rounds on the Internet. Coming right on the heels of the downfall of movie producer Harvey Weinstein, the list seemed poised to take down even more men in media. The editable, crowdsourced spreadsheet contained accusations — all made anonymously, that ranged from "creepy" direct messages to "rape" — against prominent figures in journalism and publishing.

"Wikipedia wrapped in razor blades" is how journalism professor and news veteran Jill Geisler described the list at the time, pointing out that the list represented a welcome reversal of power and gender dynamics, as well as potential to cause harm. "By all means examine it — but do so carefully or there may be a lot of blood on your hands," Geisler wrote.

One man on the list who believes his life was damaged is Stephen Elliott, author of The Adderall Diaries, as well as other books. He has filed a defamation lawsuit against list creator Moira Donegan, and the anonymous "Jane Doe" contributors.

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[rapeculturerealities]

Google refuses to give data on 'Sh*tty Media Men' contributors in libel lawsuit

One year after the “Shitty Media Men” list went live (and quickly died after going viral), one of the men named on the list—Stephen Elliott—sued its creator, Moira Donegan, for $1.5 million. In addition to targeting Donegan, Elliott seeks to find and identify the other contributors to the list.

It may be more difficult for him to get the information on the women who contributed. The list was hosted on Google Sheets, which allowed anyone with the link to contribute to it. However, Google says they won’t be co-operating. The Guardianreports that they put out a statement reading, “We will oppose any attempt by Mr. Elliot to obtain information about this document from us.”

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