From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Online publication receives complaint from Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

A PNA member operating an online “message board” where readers can post classified ads has received a complaint from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission based on the content of an ad placed by a reader.

The ad in question related to an apartment for rent, and said “no children.” The reader composed the ad and posted the ad to the publication’s web site. A single mother with children saw the ad and contacted the apartment’s owner. According to her complaint, she was denied the apartment because she had children. She then filed a complaint with the PHRC, both against the advertiser and the PNA member.

This appears to be the first complaint in Pennsylvania relating to an online housing ad. It raises a number of legal issues, and the publication involved believes that it has defenses to the action, but the complaint has obvious implications for many of our members. If you are operating a web site where readers can place postings for housing accommodations or employment opportunities, you should contact your newspaper’s lawyer or the PNA’s legal hotline at (717) 703-3076 to discuss the legal issues involved.

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