Verfassungsblog (Jul 2024)

Prison for Fake News - A Proposal to Criminalize Fake News in Cyprus

  • Natalie Alkiviadou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.59704/77977eadcc5ea19f
Journal volume & issue
no. 2366-7044

Abstract

Read online

In Cyprus, a new legislative proposal introduces a prison sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to EUR 3,000. I argue that criminally punishing fake news is absolutely horrifying for free speech, for media pluralism, and for democracy. Criminalizing fake news has a “chilling effect” and it causes a self-censorship by media, civil society organizations, and average citizens. Moreover, the concept of fake news is highly ambiguous and its criminalization is counterproductive as it is not reducing the problematic content but “often draws more attention to it.”

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