URI students get taste of 'juicy' gossip on Web site

10/30/08 - Gossip is something that all college students take part in. So why not make a place on the Internet for college students to gossip about one another?JuicyCampus.com just had their one-year anniversary on Oct. 24. Creator Matt Ivester, a Duke University graduate, created the site as a place for college students to post crazy "hijinks" and stories of their college life in an anonymous forum.

But some students don't see it as a place to post college stories and harmless gossip. University of Rhode Island freshman Heather Girgenti called it "a modern day burn book."

Some believe the site pushes the boundaries of free speech, angers many adults and students, and is sparking controversy at college campuses throughout the country.

As of now, URI has roughly 300 posts on JuicyCampus.com. The topics range from the "sluttiest girls on campus," to hazing stories, to who has STIs and the "biggest butterfaces."

Those who post on the site remain completely anonymous. People can gossip and spread rumors about whomever and whatever they want while hiding behind the shadow of their computer screens.

Ivester said he made the site anonymous because he felt students would be more likely to tell stories - especially the "juicy" ones.

"[It is] completely unethical," said URI journalism professor John Pantalone. "You have the right to speak your mind, but not to humiliate people."

Some of the students at URI share the same thoughts as Pantalone. "There is no truth in it," junior Kim Errico said.

Pantalone said the site is an inappropriate use of the First Amendment.

When JuicyCampus.com first appears on the screen, there is an immediate warning that pops up explaining the content is inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18.

According to Reno vs. American Civil Liberties Union, age discrimination is illegal. "We don't want minors," Ivester said.

Pantalone said Ivester may have created a warning knowing "he is doing something he shouldn't be doing."

But Ivester said he doesn't feel guilty for students who feel victimized through the Web site posts.

"I do read some of the personal attacks, and some of them are just nasty, but I don't feel bad about providing a forum for discussion," he said, adding later that some students abuse the right to free speech.

While reading over some of the posts on the Web site Pantalone said, "It's libel material, defamation of character and inappropriate use of the First Amendment."

Ivester, however, takes a different stance. He cited section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, stating that web publishers are not liable for false or hateful speech by third parties.

"Technology has grown tremendously, and privacy [because of the internet] has eroded," he said.

The First Amendment protects speech and opinions - even ones that are unpopular - but it does not protect against lies.

Some of these lies and attacks on students throughout the country have affected URI.

Julie, a URI senior who asked to keep her last name anonymous, got an urgent call from her friend about two weeks ago. She was informed that she and her twin sister were on the Web site under a post labeled "Orgy With The ... Twins."

"I think it's funny how somebody pathetic enough will actually take the time to make up a story about me with orangutans and chocolate rain," she said.

Ivester refuses to censor posts.

"We do not want to be 'big brother.' The fact that people can say whatever they want is what students find really attractive," he said.

But many students don't agree with him, including sophomore Melanie Papa, who said "it is just another way to cause drama.

JuicyCampus.com has said that they will only take personal information, spam and hate speech off of the Web site.

With all the debate, the site has become more popular than ever, jumping from 30 campuses to 500 in just the month of September.