Washington, DC asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Libel & Slander for Maryland

Q: What can done to stop someone from using a police scanner and sharing crime, accident and out of context info on f book?

Someone created a Facebook page and he listens to a police scanner and posts their audio, follows police to crime scenes and accidents. Etc. He reposts out of context info. Reposts deaths before family’s are notified. He claims it’s to keep the community safe but he tarnishes individual and businesses names. He will post his opinions a lot and not facts and it has caused so many issues for so many in out community. The police dept advised they don’t do anything even though he uses their audio and follows them around when they report to police calls

1 Lawyer Answer
Ronald V. Miller Jr.
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Answered
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: It can be frustrating and concerning when someone shares sensitive information on social media platforms, particularly when it involves crime, accidents, and personal details. But these are the perils of having the 1st Amendment. I don't think you have any reasonable path to stop what he is doing, at least not legally.

Facebook is not a government actor so it is not subject to the First Amendment. If the content posted by the individual violates Facebook's Community Standards, you can report it directly through the platform. Facebook may take action against the content or the user's account if it deems the content inappropriate or harmful. But, to be honest, that does not sound like the case here either.

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