JuicyCampus, a public, anonymous message board that basically encourages college students to gossip about each other (often using full names and with malicious intentions), got its first ban from a public university. Apparently, Tennessee State University’s VP for Student Affairs, Michael Freeman has blocked access to the website, which spurred CEO & President of JuicyCampus Matt Ivester to write an open letter in response.
Get ready for some drama, with Ivester claiming TSU is “joining the ranks of the Chinese government in internet censorship, and spitting in the faces of everyone who believes in free discourse online”.
University administrators are probably acting in what they believe to be the best interests of their students. They’re just misguided, and missing the big picture. The most significant threats to free speech (in the U.S. at least) tend to come not from tyrants who openly question the value of the First Amendment, but from well-meaning busybodies who want to protect peoples’ feelings—a mission that is generally incompatible with free speech.
The idea of banning JuicyCampus.com has been considered, and flatly rejected, at the nation’s premier universities (including Yale, Duke, Princeton, Harvard, and many others). These universities decided that limiting free speech would be fundamentally incompatible with their educational missions, and that censorship was a slippery slope that they did not want to be on. Instead, administrators at many top universities seized the opportunity to educate their students. All over the country, discussions have taken place with regard to what is and is not appropriate to discuss in a public forum, and how students should react when they see something they disagree with online.
This approach stands in stark contrast with TSU’s decision, which was to censor the speech of its own students. In a truly Orwellian manner, the University chose to limit students’ abilities to read and write to an un-moderated message board online, because their speech was reflecting “negatively” on TSU. Freeman’s position would seem to be that his students cannot be trusted with their First Amendment rights, perhaps believing that they are too immature or irresponsible. Perhaps though, they are just under-educated on this issue. But, unlike his colleagues at top universities, Mr. Freeman has abdicated his responsibility for educating those students, and in doing so has disgraced both his University and his State.
Because TSU’s decision seems to violate its students’ First Amendment rights, there is some question as to how long their ban will remain in effect. Students and free speech advocacy groups are already discussing legal action.
JuicyCampus believes that the answer to bad speech is good speech, not censorship. To that end, JuicyCampus encourages students who disagree with certain comments to reply to those comments with additional information and/or their own opinions. Everyone has an equal voice on JuicyCampus.
JuicyCampus claims nearly 1 million unique visitors per month, but both Quantcast and Compete estimates suggest it’s more around 1/10 of that. The website recently expanded, opening support to over 500 new campuses.
We’d be surprised if TSU will remain the only institution to block access to the website, and we’re still doubtful if Ivester will be able to avoid being slapped with a lawsuit by upset students and/or their parents. He acknowledged to us earlier that JuicyCampus was under investigation by Attorneys General in New Jersey and Connecticut, but we remain unsure about the current status.
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No ones clicking on your link.
I clicked without thinking (don’t shoot me). Fortunately, it’s just a form to fill out so they can e-mail you when they go live (and you’re right, few TechCrunchers will be filling that out).
Come on? You know you need another socnet to signup for. It is SO novel, no?
I have never heard of this site before but I can see where it would raise eye brows just from the stand point of leaving peoples names. Good way to generate a buzz though.
Don’t universities block other websites?
The idea is not a bad one but will be much harder to monetize with the current state of the economy. Additionally, while gossip on campus sounds interesting its going to most likely become a message board with a lot of negativity, which could be their biggest obstacle. I guess Juicy campus has to find a way to make sure that their content is respectable. It’ll be interesting to see.
I agree with George. It seems inevitable that this idea will only appeal to internet trolls who want the joy of being able to identify real live people on a locally-based message board while hiding behind anonymity.
What a trashy concept for a website. It’s amazing what people will stamp their name on.
big deal. school is for learning and the tools used there should be related to the mission. students can still use there phone or personal pc to gossip all they want.
ClassLocator.com – conformity rules
I have had many college friends complain to me about the site asking how to take off something posted about them. It’s only a matter of time before they get a nice lawsuit and shut down. There was some really nasty false things posted about some people I know. I am assuming it would fall under Defamation of Character.
It is a matter of time and you are right, it is defamation of character and libel, both actionable. The site must be shut down. Nothing to do with China.
So many idiots claim that it is “freedom of speech” believing that anyone can say anything about anybody… WRONG!
Please feel free to defect to cuba because I dont want you anywhere near me. If johnny calling you a name hurts you, you are the weakest individual I’ve ever known. Please go read about the founding principles of this country or you will continue to insult me and my ancestors,
Phil’s got it right, Alex. And you are wrong.
It’s not just about name-calling but the founderboy trying to make a buck off other people’s nastiness towards others. At times, that nastiness includes the type of commentary which many civil law cases find as defamatory. Courts across the country have ruled in civil cases that free speech does not include clearly defamatory comments – be those verbalized or left on some message board on some internet forum like juicycampus.
Let’s be clear and honest about one thing: that website has less to do with the exercise of free speech than it does with the founder trying to line his pockets at the expense and pain of others. Where that expense and pain cross the line into defamation, I hope he pays dearly with the cash he makes from those who blindly and unthinkingly use his website.
Just because we believe in free speech doesn’t mean we believe as*******oles can put on a mask and stand in the town square and take shots a little kids, widows, and orphans.
This makes me embarrased to be in the internet business. Hopefully the town will rise up and ban them from the square.
This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Actually more like a class action. These guys will be in prison before long.
That’s correct. Harvard, Yale, 1st Amendment my ass. There are laws against libel and slander. These college jokers should spend a week in class learning how to be civilized, instead of impetuous, selfish, narcissic scumbags that their indulgent parents allowed them to be. Anyway, what intelligent parent sends kids to these fucking universities anyway. So they can learn to be more shitasses from the scumbag, do-nothing professors?
It would be a bigger deal if ATT or Comcast were blocking the site. A university is a form of workplace. I think they have more of a right to control what happens on their network.
actually good idea! Anyone here know how to launch as DNS attack on their servers and their hosting company?
At least one university is smart! I think this site is awful and all it does is promote slander. As a college student, I wish my school would block it.
Guys:
I missed the point of the story. I was at Toys R Us talking to a handful of 3rd graders about Venture Capitl fundraising.
Run that by me again…
There was an editorial about JuicyCampus.com in the University of Georgia student newspaper recently, the Red and Black.
The TSU student newspaper also covered the issue on their campus with 3 articles: http://www.tsumeter.com
My friend is on the site frequently because they are constantly harping on his fraternity (which is nothing new). I think it’s a waste of time going on this site & worrying about what other people say. We already have word of mouth and there is enough rumors & gossip due to that.
The ability to broadcast slander to the world using the Internet should not remove the responsibility that goes along with it. I’m generally open to all free speech, but free speech does not allow slander and that’s what this site seems to encourage.
The University has a responsibility and right to protect it’s students and they are taking appropriate action.
Correct me if I’m off-base here, but I’ve been learning about libel and slander as of late, and I believe Internet Service Providers are exempt from responsibility in libel suits.
So I don’t know how much there is to be gained from trying to sue the site creators.
Furthermore, can it even be proved that the site creators are promoting false, libelous claims? I know there is a lot of “dirt” on the site, but how do you know it isn’t true?
This is more than just simple open-and-shut case of libelous material.
By the way, I am a lawyer for Juicycampus.com
The owner of the site is not exempt, even the ISP isn’t. Once the libel has been brought to your attention you have to decide to either remove it or leave it, if you leave it then you will be open to lawsuits. If it was me then I would just notify RackSpace and have them force you, as they also open themselves for suits once they have been notified of the libel on their servers.
My suggestion would be to incorporate in central america and move to a bulletproof host.
what Tim wrote.
amen.
by the way, I am the lawyer for my big little toe on my left right foot.
How about a site that actually benefits students? How about a site that allows students to learn, research and make their 4 years count? Yollege is a site that has empowered college students to voice their opinions on various topics on their college, and the main goal isn’t to sit behind an iron curtain and spit remarks one couldn’t make in reality.
http://www.yollege.com
Matt, I hardly equate a gossip site to the Chinese censoring the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
confusious say: small minds make small equations. even smaller minds make stupid “social interaction” websites. but small minds sometimes fill pocket with big dollar bills.
I’m glad my campus was not this juicy!
We should all remember JuicyCampus and Matt Ivester.
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
Matt Ivester
When this site gets what it has coming to it, we should remember that Matt Ivester was the guy who attempted to sleazily confuse free speech rights with libel by glamorizing cowardly anonymous slander with his immature and questionably ethical business.
Its like rationalizing an anonymous ebay for drugs and murders….
Matt Ivester is a fool if he thinks that the business world will grant him respect. Even Larry Flint would call this guy out.
Matt Ivester.
Good for TSU.
Making defamatory and slanderous statements and hiding behind anonymity is cowardly. TSU is making a statement that their campus is no place for this type of behavior and that the campus is a place for learning and educational development.
Very nice anonymous comment. Norammlly i have no problem and prefer it myself, but that is plain hypocritical.
I think I picked up some nasty spyware from this juicycampus site.
The site was responsible for a shooting threat at my university. Fairly petty, as far as I can tell.
Wondered why this didn’t happen sooner. That site seemed kind of pointless and unusually cruel. Really shows you how poorly people can treat one another.
(linkback) Agree or Object? JuicyCampus Gets Banned From TSU [VOTE] – http://www.thri...rfail.com/9f13a
I heard Matt Ivester was expelled from Duke for distributing kiddie videos. he’s one sick person
No idea who the sleaze bag is, but saying that is complete bullshit. It shows the lunacy of trying to demonize the site. You obviously value the anon nature of TC comments, so do i, and you need to shut-the-fuck-up immediately, hypocrite.
come on, Alex. he’s just exercising his free speech rights to rag on your MI.
MI? what’s that mean
Whoever founded this was one of those assholes that sat around bitching about others. Now hopefully this bitch gets banned from everywhere. This is not to do with freedom of speech. It is a platform to bully and bitch, for bullies and bitches.
Matt Ivester, who the f invested in you? This is one startup we hope to see in the dead pool.
BEWARE – TROJAN.DROPPER infected my desktop computer from JuicyCampus.com
As a student at TSU, I have to say I am happy about the ban. The website was more of a disturbance to those students who were at school to learn. When you entered the library the computers would be full and all students or entirely to many, would be on JuicyCampus. I agree that TSU needs to take this as an oppurtunity, a huge TEACHABLE MOMENT, to improve the campus social circles. As an English Major, that will graduate with teacher certification as well, TSU has taught me that we must learn from our enviroment and be active in the community to educate those who are not and improve the campus as a whole. This is a huge oppurtunity for organizations and greeks on campus to hold forums and discuss professionaility and business like behavior. The website is disgusting and I do not believe the President of the website and the creators thought about the people who might become victims. Who are you to say that these people deserve or should have to be subject to a free forum for slander. A free open space to discredit someone completely and ruin there name with no fact or proof behind it. Bravo! TSU! I Love TSU! Keep the website blocked! And no, I was not a victim, it was disrupting my education!
There’s an Amazon wishlist for Matthew Ivester with books like “How to make someone like you in 90 seconds” and “Loving Someone Gay”. It seems like he has some personal issues that need to be worked out but he’s trying to ruin other people’s lives.
Wow, if a website can disrupt education at a university, they might want to think of leveling up on there student recruitment skills. Did they hand out leaflets at in the Jerry Springer audience?
I’m actually a bit surprised that no individuals have brought a lawsuit to the site to at least obtain the identity of the user who created the comments in addition to suing the site for printing the libel. Maybe victims don’t want to bring attention to the slanderous comments. If Jay really is a lawyer for juicycampus he really should know a lot about slander, libel, and defamation or maybe that online jd was bs. If you need a tutorial on defamation lawsuits, I would suggest reading about any lawsuit from Tom Cruise versus the tabloids. The only way I can see juicy campus regulating their site is removing untrue statements and deleting their archives.
I think Alex likes anonymity, but he should at least disclose his motives as an employee of the juicy campus website or his romantic relationship with matt ivestor. He has a completely misconstrued idea of freedom of speech which is meant to protect individuals from retribution usually involving political speech but only if those individuals are willing to speak publicly revealing their identity. Anonymous individuals are protected already because of their anonymity and are not held accountable for their words or statements. if JC acts as a publisher of these anonymous comments, they need to hold every user liable for any false statements. Matt ivester may have a skewed interpretation of the first amendment with past involvement in the supremacist movement but he was hiding behind a white cloth because he was a coward and feared retribution for his hate speech.
i think they should have a link to the juicy campus legal dept for victims of defamation!
While this is crazy… Hampton University, a small historically black university in southeastern virginia, has banned juicy campus a while ago! Where’s our news story?
The funny thing is, it didn’t get blocked over there until some idiot made a dumb comment about the school’s president. administration caught wind, and then BOOM. the site was banned.
Hampton’s going through a lot of funny things right now… students are trying to figure out why it’s blocked The Weather Channel’s website…
I need to transfer
Totally!