The article provides a comprehensive theoretical and legal analysis of key terms of administrative and legal regulation of the information space of Ukraine in the context of the challenges of digital transformation, hybrid aggression and the need to strengthen information security. It is substantiated that the modern information space is a complex multi-level system that requires a clear legal definition for effective public administration, coordination of government activities, and ensuring a balance between freedom of information and national security. The lack of a unified definition of the concept of «information space» in Ukrainian legislation is emphasized, which creates risks of regulatory uncertainty and complicates counteraction to disinformation influences. The article analyzes the definitions proposed in domestic and foreign scientific literature, strategic documents, and law enforcement practice, and also distinguishes the concepts of «information security», «cybersecurity», «disinformation», and «destructive propaganda» as categories of administrative law. The emphasis is on the lack of a normative definition of the term «disinformation» in current legislation, despite its critical role in the ongoing information war. At the same time, it is emphasized that the concepts of «information security» and «cybersecurity» have already been properly established at the level of special laws and strategic acts, in particular in the Information Security Strategy of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine «On the Basic Principles of Ensuring Cybersecurity of Ukraine». An author’s definition of the concept of «information space» is proposed, which takes into account the legal sphere, information processes, digital infrastructure and public interests, and can be used as a basis for further regulatory regulation. The conclusion is made about the need for terminological unification of key concepts in the field of administrative and legal regulation of the information space as a prerequisite for the formation of an effective state information policy, ensuring national sovereignty in the information sphere and the implementation of citizens’ rights and freedoms in the context of hybrid challenges.
Mykola Goncharenko (Thu,) studied this question.