Which Online Bulletin Board has Insults? Ways to Delete Posts and the Consequences of Ignoring Them

Online bulletin boards are effectively utilized as platforms for sharing information and facilitating discussions. However, there are aggressive and negative comments, such as insults and defamation. These defamation can target not only individuals but also organizations, making the management of reputation and criticism a significant challenge.

This article will introduce internet bulletin boards which tent to be the subject of such insults, highlighting their respective characteristics. It will also explain the methods for removing such posts and the appropriate responses to online defamation.

Top 4 Online Bulletin Boards Prone to Defamation

There are numerous bulletin boards online, but here are four that are particularly notorious for frequent defamation.

5channel

5channel[ja] is a bulletin board that split off from ‘2channel’, the anonymous bulletin board established by Hiroyuki Nishimura. As users can post anonymously and the site covers a wide range of genres, a variety of posts can be fond, including extreme statement. Given its long history including the time when it was ‘2channel’, and the fact that it was founded by renowned Hiroyuki, attracting people keen to post comments, the absolute number of abusive posts is also high.

Bakusai

Bakusai[ja] is a local community bulletin boards distinctive for threads divided by region. Division of region makes the channel more localized and niche compared to 5channel, which can lead to targeted and malicious comments. It also leads to numerous posts that include personal information.

Insults, Complaints & Stress Relief Bulletin Board

Insults, Complaints & Stress Relief Bulletin Board[ja] is literally a bulletin board intended for venting through posting insults and complaints. It is notorious for extremely aggressive statement, and some posts even include photos and personal information. As the name of the bulletin board is so straightforward, users tend to feel less inhibited to post insults or venting their frustrations.

New School Insults Bulletin Board

New School Insults Bulletin Board[ja] is, as the name implies, a bulletin board for posting school-related insults. It was established relatively recently in May 2014 and is a platform for elementary to junior high school students to share behind-the-scenes stories about their schools. Since the insults are within the school community, it’s common to find posts between individuals who are closely acquainted. As schools are a significant part of students’ daily lives, the supply of material for insults never ends, leading to frequent postings.

The Difference Between Defamation and Insults

Aggressive and negative comments posted on bulletin boards are often referred to as “defamation” or “insults.” Let’s clarify the definitions and differences between these terms.

Whether the Content is Based on Fact

Defamation is a term that combines “slander” and “libel.” In terms of meaning, “slander” refers to the act of speaking ill of someone, while “libel” means to hurt someone by stating unfounded content. Therefore, the term “defamation” does not only mean speaking ill of someone but also harming someone with content that lacks any evidence.

Possibility of Criminal Punishment Even if Based on Fact

Just because something stated or posted is based on fact, it does not mean it is acceptable. Depending on the content of the post, one may be subject to criminal penalties under the Penal Code’s Defamation (Article 230) or Insult (Article 231).

The crime of defamation is established when someone publicly discloses facts and damages a person’s reputation. Posting specific facts on a bulletin board site that can be viewed by an unspecified number of people, thereby damaging someone’s reputation or threatening their social status, carries the risk of being subject to defamation law.

Even if the content is true, it can still constitute defamation; therefore, whether it is a lie or a statement based on facts, the risk of facing criminal penalties remain the same.

Furthermore, the crime of insult is established when a person is publicly insulted, even without stating facts. It is established when a person is publicly insulted, even without stating specific facts. It is established when a person is publicly insulted using language that disparages or demeans them, rather than citing specific facts. If you post disparaging statements about someone on bulletin boards, there is a risk of being charged with the crime of insult and facing criminal penalties.

Related article: What are the Conditions for Suing for Defamation? Explaining the Requirements and the Range of Compensation for Emotional Distress[ja]

The Consequences of Ignoring Defamation on Bulletin Boards

In today’s online world, anyone can find themselves the target of defamation in bulletin boards. It’s not just individuals who are targeted – it’s also quite common for communities, companies, and other organizations to be the subject of such comments. This section will explain the potential drawbacks and risks of ignoring negative comments, rather than addressing them.

Corporate Reputation Deterioration

If a company ignores bulletin boards, it can lead to a decline in the company’s reputation among viewers. Furthermore, if the content spreads beyond the bulletin boards, the damage can be even worse.

Decrease in Employee Motivation

The consequence of defamation extends beyond corporate reputation to the motivation of employees. The feeling of ‘working in a place viewed negatively by the public’ can decrease motivation and productivity. Furthermore, if employees begin to resign, this could result in a loss of talent.

If negative comments are left unaddressed and remain visible to an unspecified number of people on bulletin boards, the company’s reputation may deteriorate progressively, potentially making it difficult to recruit new talent. Furthermore, combined with a decline in employee motivation, this creates the risk of making it harder to retain employees.

Impact on Business Performance

If you fail to address defamation and criticism, consumer who see them will be less inclined to purchase your products, leading to a decline in sales, and ultimately, a deterioration in your company’s financial health. That is to say, in addition to internal issues such as low employee morale and difficulties in recruiting talent, there are also negative drawbacks on the company’s financial health due to declining sales.

Ways to Remove Defamation on Bulletin Boards

When insults or defamatory comments are posted on bulletin boards, they can have a significant negative impact, therefore it must be removed immediately. We will explain whom to request for removal and how.

Identify the Poster and Request Removal

If you are requesting the removal of a post directly from the person who wrote it, it is important to remain calm and logically explain that the content constitutes defamation.

However, on bulletin boards that allow anonymous posting, it is necessary to file a request for disclosure of the poster’s information in order to identify them. Even if you are able to identify the poster, there is a possibility that they will not comply with your request for removal, or that the process will take time, potentially allowing the damage to go worse. Therefore, in addition to requesting removal from the poster, you should also consider taking other legal measures in parallel.

Request Removal from the Site Administrator

Instead of the identifying the poster, you can also request the removal of the content from the bulletin board’s administrator. Since the sites’ Terms of Service prohibit defamation, if a post violates it, you may be able to request the administrator to delete it.

The common way to request content removal is through the contact form, though in some cases, requests are made directly via email. It is recommended to carefully review the bulletin board’s Terms of Service before submitting a removal request.

Hire a Lawyer to Obtain a Court-Ordered Removal

Even if a post contains content that constitutes defamation, the bulletin board administrator may not comply with a request for removal. However, if you hire a lawyer and the court issues a removal order, the board administrator must comply. You can also consult with a lawyer not only about requesting the removal of the post but also about whether the content constitutes defamation or insult.

By hiring a lawyer, you may be able to not only have the post removed but also file a police report or identify the poster and seek damages through a civil lawsuit. Since the retention period for logs that serve as evidence is short, it is recommended to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

Summary: Consult a Lawyer for Defamation on Bulletin Boards

This article has explained the bulletin boards where defamatory comments are frequently posted, the consequences of that arise from leaving such comments unaddressed, and how to remove them. When derogatory comments or defamatory statements are posted on bulletin boards, it can have a significant negative impact on an individual or a company, and a swift response to remove the posts is essential to minimize the damage.

Consultation with a lawyer allows you to request removal through the court system, ensuring a reliable solution. Additionally, you can discuss whether criminal penalties can be applied to the poster and whether you can claim damages. Ignoring defamatory posts on bulletin boards poses a significant risk, so it is crucial to consult with a lawyer early and take swift action towards removal.

Guidance on Measures by Our Firm

Monolith Law Office is a law firm with extensive experience in IT, particularly in both the internet and legal fields. In recent years, the spread of reputational damage and online defamation has caused serious harm as ‘digital tattoos’. The firm provides solutions to combat these ‘digital tattoos’. Please refer to the article below for more details.

Areas of practice at Monolith Law Office: Digital Tattoo[ja]