Criminal Liability for the Dissemination of Deliberately False Socially Significant Information Under the Legislation of Neighboring Countries

Introduction: the article presents the findings of a comparative legal study of foreign criminal legislation on liability for the dissemination of deliberately false socially significant information. In particular, the criminal laws of neighbouring countries in this area are considered. Materials and Methods: the present study was conducted using a combination of methods, including the dialectical method of scientific cognition, as well as comparative-legal, systemic-structural and formal-logical approaches. The empirical basis of the study comprised the criminal legislation of the Russian Federation and neighbouring countries, as well as scientific works by Russian scientists on the subject of the study. Results: the article presents an examination of legislative models of norms on liability for the dissemination of deliberately false, socially significant information in the criminal codes of neighbouring countries. Discussion and Conclusions: the author has established that criminal liability for knowingly false reporting of an act of terrorism is enshrined in all criminal laws of neighbouring countries. Other manifestations of the dissemination of deliberately false socially significant information are only partially criminalised. Very extensive criminal law prohibitions in this area are provided for in the Criminal Codes of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan.