Criminal Liability for Providing Inaccurate Information about the Spread of the COVID-19 Epidemic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify problems related to the establishment of criminal liability for providing inaccurate information about the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, and propose the ways to solve them. To aim involved the following methods: systemic approach, descriptive statistics, comparative approach, descriptive analysis, pragmatic approach, and forecasting. The effectiveness of health authorities’ response to outbreaks of diseases depends on the completeness and accuracy of the information disseminated. In fact, national legislations do not provide criminal liability for providing inaccurate information about the epidemiological situation in a pandemic. Therefore, there is a need to develop Interim Guidelines to ensure the accuracy of information on the epidemiological situation in a pandemic. A rule that criminalizes the provision of inaccurate information or the dissemination of inaccurate information about the incidence in an epidemic and/or pandemic, should be one of the rules on liability for crimes against national security, and should be punishable by imprisonment for a certain period and deprivation of the right to hold certain positions and engage in certain activities. This study is not exhaustive and opens up prospects for further research in this area.