"Fake News": the Problem of a Legal Regulation

Within the framework of this study, different approaches to understanding the phenomenon of fake news from scientific, journalistic and legal points of view were studied, as well as existing materials on the topic were combined and systematized in a General typology, which consists of features that allow to describe fake news in a comprehensive manner and distinguish it from an array of other information. A full definition of the phenomenon under study was also formulated, taking into account all the features of fake materials listed by previous researchers. In addition, the existing Russian legislation regulating the information sphere was studied. It was concluded that the legal system in Russia practically does not control and does not restrict the dissemination of fake information. It was found that the main distribution channel fake news are social platforms, and distributors – their users. Therefore, the study proposed a legislative initiative to regulate the distribution of fake news on social platforms without censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech. It was also proposed to tighten control over the quality of journalistic materials, as it turned out that another reason for the spread of fakes is the fact that the authors in the media did not check the information provided properly. As a result, the hypothesis was confirmed: fake news is a threat to society, so their creation and distribution must be regulated at the legislative level.