A proposed bill on holding individuals accountable for defamation and insults in mass media or on websites could be seen as a form of pressure on the media. This was stated by lawyer Akmat Alagushev of the Media Policy Institute in a comment.
Alagushev noted that in 2010, defamation and later insults were decriminalized. However, there is an article in the Civil Code that addresses the protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation, which somewhat compensates for the lack of defamation regulations. As for insults, they are not covered in the Civil Code, creating a legal vacuum.
Previously, under criminal law, investigations were conducted first, followed by private prosecution where the victim could turn to the court. There was a full-fledged process with all the necessary consequences. Now, the proposed administrative responsibility entails issuing protocols under the Public Administrative Code. The question arises on the nature of complaints and how the Ministry of Culture, as the authorized body, will handle them.
Alagushev raised concerns about whether linguistic experts would be involved in determining defamation and insults. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive legal assessment by the competent authority. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the process and the Ministry's jurisdiction in this matter.
The Ministry of Culture has suggested amending the Code of Administrative Offenses with a new article outlining the responsibility for defamation and insults against individuals in mass media, on websites, or web pages.
