The Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy is proposing an amendment to the Code of Administrative Offenses that would hold individuals accountable for defamation and insults towards others in mass media or on websites. This draft law has been opened for public discussion following a directive from the Prime Minister, Akylbek Zaparov.
The goal of this proposed amendment is to safeguard the legitimate interests of victims and ensure fairness within the legal system. The Ministry of Culture emphasizes the growing importance of addressing freedom of speech issues, especially with the advancement of information technologies and increased internet accessibility. There has been a noticeable surge in cases involving insults and the dissemination of false information through various media and online platforms, which poses a threat to public morality and interpersonal relationships.
The Ministry believes that the current civil legislation does not adequately address situations involving insults and the spreading of false information in mass media and on internet platforms. Insults and humiliation propagated through mass media and the internet can have adverse effects on society, potentially leading to heightened conflicts, strained interpersonal relationships, and disruptions to public stability.
To address these concerns, the Ministry of Culture is proposing to add an article on "Defamation and Insults in Mass Media, on Websites on the Internet, or on Internet Pages" to the legal code. Additionally, they suggest introducing penalties, such as fines, for those found guilty of such offenses. For instance, individuals could face fines of 75 calculation indicators (7,500 soms) for indecent insults in mass media, on the internet, or on internet pages, while legal entities could face fines of 230 calculation indicators (23,000 soms). Similarly, fines of 100 calculation indicators (10,000 soms) for defamation involving the spreading of knowingly false information that harms another person's honor and dignity or reputation are proposed for individuals, with fines of 280 calculation indicators (28,000 soms) for legal entities.
Furthermore, the Ministry is suggesting that the authorized body in the field of mass media, specifically the Ministry of Culture, be granted the power to review cases of administrative offenses and impose penalties.
