A large part of what is the driving force behind the Web 2.0 phenomena is the ability for website users to generate content.  A lot of this content comes in the form of reviews and comments on various products and services.  Could all of this been turned on its head based on a recent Australian High Court decision ruling damages on a damning restaurant review?

“High Court judges today ruled 6-1 to dismiss an appeal by Fairfax against a ruling of the NSW Court of Appeal that concluded that no reasonable jury could find it wasn’t defamatory to declare a restaurant sold bad food and offered poor service.”

Restaurant critic Matthew Evans dined there twice and produced a scathing review, rating the restaurant 9/20, declaring it expensive with half the dishes unpalatable, saying service was good and bad, and rating value a shocker. However, the harbour view was nice.

“In a city where harbourside dining has improved out of sight in recent years, Coco Roco is a bleak spot on the culinary landscape,” he concluded.

This decision may set an incredible precedence on what is published and freedom of speech.  The speed at which a Blog post or forum topic can spread virally contributes to what is a huge concern to businesses large and small and they need to develop strategies to monitor and react.  They now just might have the ultimate reputation management tool — a damages claim!

Where is this going to leave Web site owners and how they moderate user generated content?

How will it affect the way you write your Blog?