This might include censoring what citizens say in the organization's Internet forums, and worse. Organizations that violate IRS guidelines could lose their tax-exempt status. There have been various congressional proposals to muzzle some nonprofit organizations. Curiously, the Tech Law Journal says it was unable to find the announcement in the Federal Register, nor on the IRS Web site. Sadly, the deadline for public comments was February 13.
Truth is the absolute defense against liability for defamation.
Corporations can afford the legal expenses much more easily than can most citizens. And businesses can claim tax deductions for legal action as business expenses. And like most aspects of freedom, the issues are complex. It used to be limited to rumor mongering around Wall Street, where most players were knowledgeable and cynical. The SEC has already prosecuted a few of these white-collar criminals operating in the U.S., but they've barely touched the top of this monster digital iceberg, floating around the Internet.