Think before You Tweet - Legal World Has Caught Up; Lord McAlpine's Legal Action against the BBC and Up to 10,000 Tweeters Could Have Profound Consequences for Other Users of Social Networking Sites. in Fact, the Case May Change the Way We Use Social Media Forever Says Expertle/ Hugh Hitchcock

CONSERVATIVE peer Lord Mc-Alpine has rightfully received a PS185,000 settlement from the BBC after it broadcast a botched Newsnight report into child abuse at a North Wales care home.

He was mistakenly implicated, by the November 2 broadcast, in a paedophile ring that targeted children at the care home in Wrexham.

Lord McAlpine has also received a PS125,000 settlement from ITV after presenter Phillip Schofield handed the Prime Minister a list of alleged abusers live on the This Morning show on November 8. Unfortunately for the broadcaster, some of the names on the list - which were taken from various internet sites - were clearly visible to viewers.

Most worryingly for those of us outside of media circles, he is also perfectly properly considering legal action against the estimated 10,000 tweeters who falsely accused him of being a paedophile on the social networking site, and have failed to withdraw or delete their …

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Publication information: Article title: Think before You Tweet - Legal World Has Caught Up; Lord McAlpine's Legal Action against the BBC and Up to 10,000 Tweeters Could Have Profound Consequences for Other Users of Social Networking Sites. in Fact, the Case May Change the Way We Use Social Media Forever Says Expertle/ Hugh Hitchcock. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales). Publication date: November 27, 2012. Page number: 19. © 2009 MGN Ltd. COPYRIGHT 2012 Gale Group.

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