Konstantin Tolkachev: "Control over information in social networks should not violate freedom of thought and speech"

UFA, 28 July 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Galiya Nabieva/. The bill considered in the State Duma is aimed at combating the spread of illegal content in social networks. The initiative proposes to introduce the concept of "social network operator" and assign a number of responsibilities to it. Among them - restriction of access or removal of the information that aims at promoting war, incites national, racial or religious hatred, is unreliable, discredits another person and other information. The dissemination of such information provides for criminal or administrative liability.

The speaker of the regional parliament stressed that this problem was realized not only in Russia, but also abroad, where appropriate measures were taken. Konstantin Tolkachev cited Germany as an example, where a law providing for fines for illegal content from 500 thousand to 5 million euros was passed.

In his speech at the meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Legislators held in the State Duma, the head of the regional parliament spoke about the measures taken in the regions of the country to counteract radical ideology through the media and the Internet.

Legislators are sure: a document that clearly regulates the placement of illegal content in social networks is necessary. However when finalizing the bill, a number of nuances should be taken into account. And the control over the information placed in social networks, of course, in no case should violate the freedom of thought and speech enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation.