Craigslist is a popular Internet web site which offers up a bulletin board for individuals who seek to buy, sell, or trade goods.
The site is also rife with ads for a multitude of services, including notices pertaining to housing.
According to the latest figures, at least thirty million internet users post notices on the highly-cruised space each month.
In 2006, attorneys opined that Craigslist openly permitted discriminatory practices in respect to rentals, which they allege, were in direct Violation of the U.S. Fair Housing Act. For example, landlords posted rental notices that warned that those in the minority classes, or with children, need not apply.
For this reason, a Chicago-based Law Firm brought legal action against the Internet heavyweight to stop the questionable practices.
Just recently, a three-member panel of Judges in the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled that Craigslist "is not liable for discriminatory housing ads posted on its website."
The upper-level court based their decision on a "finding" that Craigslist was not the publisher of the ads (like a newspaper would be) - and therefore - not liable for the discriminatory acts of the post-it masses who frequently utilize the site.
Personally, I believe that their assessment is misguided.
Craigslist does provide the "space"; hence, they should be held accountable for what is posted there.
At a minimum - as is the case at YouTube and Facebook, for example - Craigslist should monitor the site for potential abuses, and take appropriate action, when called for.
In a civilized society, that is a reasonable expectation, don't you think?
I trust that the litigants will proceed to the Supreme Court, if necessary, for a more in-depth review. Obviously, justice cries out for such action, since it appears that the Judges who ruled on the issue to date are suffering from brain rot and should be put out to pasture.