Internet weblogs do not face the same legal penalties of other media, but that could soon change, said Brian Thornton, communications associate professor.

Weblogs, or blogs, are a growing trend. Web sites, such as Xanga and Live Journal, allow members to write about school, jobs, friends and anything else. Current laws do not allow police to prosecute offenders solely on a blog confession, but that will not last long, Thornton said.

“The law has not caught up with technology yet,” Thornton said.

Lieutenant Matt Kiederlen of NIU’s University Police said the UP looks for leads on NIU-related Internet sites.

“We look for things that are happening around campus,” Kiederlen said. “But we have to track down and verify anything we find.”

Web site members, known as bloggers, may face libel suits in the future. Libel is a statement that implies false and/or defamatory information about someone else.

It is impossible for all bloggers to know what is considered libelous, because they have not all studied journalism, Thornton said. Bloggers also do not know what is ethically right or wrong in journalism.

“There are thousands of bloggers out there,” Thornton said. “It is exhilarating but frightening at the same time.”

A recent Live Journal posting alleged an NIU staff member viewed pornographic material on a computer in the staff member’s office. An incident like this is potentially libelous, Thornton said.

“Identification does not have to be by name,” Thornton said. “It can be by job or description, as long as there is enough information to tell who the person is.”

UP could not be reached as of press time to comment on any investigation into the incident.

Most libel victims will not bother with libel suits against bloggers, Thornton said. They do not want to waste their time and money dealing with bloggers.

Christopher Weaver, a senior biology and sociology double major, uses three different blogs to keep a record of his life and share his experiences with others. Weaver said blog confessions should not be used as the basis for prosecution of a crime.

“It should be used as evidence for a crime,” Weaver said. “But I do not think it should be used in lieu of a confession in the eyes of the law.”

However, Weaver agrees that more blog regulation will come.

“I am sure blogs will eventually be monitored, at least for key words to prevent and arrest criminals,” Weaver said.