Why do internet and social media user condemn the libel provisions of the cybercrime law?

[Sickology]

The airwaves are public domain, so is cyberspace. Then why do internet and social media user condemn the libel provisions of the cybercrime law?

[Jody]

Maybe they don't understand that libel applies to oral or verbal publication over radio, audio or video because it is considered publication in a transfixed form under the laws of defamation.

Or maybe they don't understand that in libel cases, the plaintiff needs to prove that the statement was false, which is difficult to prove if evidence disappears, and he also needs to prove that the statement was published by the defendant

The elements of a defamation suit whether slander or libel are:

1. A defamatory statement;
2. Published to a third party;
3. Which the speaker knew or should have known was false;
4. That causes injury to the subject of the communication

Defamation is a common law tort, suits are governed by state law and in cases of the internet can be taken over by federal authorities.

[justin Timberbrook]

Because the people who will most benefit from this law are people who are powerful, the rich, the elite and politicians. Regular folks are the least likely group who will take refuge in this new law. Regular people will be afraid to speak their minds online with a Damocles sword hanging over them. Additionally, the internet is the last bastion of freedom where people can openly speak their mind, and use the cloak of anonymity to protect themselves from those who will seek their identity to harm them legally or otherwise. Our freedom of expression should not be negotiable. The govt's job is to protect and enhance our Constitutional rights, not curtail or discourage them.