On November 24, at the joint meeting of the Legal Policy and State Building Committee and the Human Rights Committee of the National Assembly, a draft law on amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code and the Law "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information" was discussed. At the end of the meeting, it was recommended that the draft be considered at the first reading in the plenary session of the National Assembly.
The proposed amendment to the Administrative Offenses Code envisages penalties for actions in internet information resources or information and telecommunication networks that insult public morality, openly express disrespect to society — that is, for uttering immoral expressions or making gestures that give such an impression, or for displaying parts of the human body in a manner contrary to moral norms and national-spiritual values. The punishments include fines ranging from 500 to 1000 manats, and if that is deemed insufficient, administrative detention of up to 30 days is envisaged.
If a person commits these administrative offenses again within one year for the same act, the fine can be increased to 2000 manats and the detention extended up to 2 months.
The proposed amendment to the Law "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information" includes adding among the prohibited information “information about actions that insult public morality, openly express disrespect to society — that is, uttering immoral expressions or making gestures that give such an impression, or displaying parts of the human body in a manner contrary to moral norms and national-spiritual values.”
All of this means a toughening of administrative penalties for obscene language, immoral expressions or insulting gestures. How might the proposed changes affect society and contribute to the protection of ethical behavior?
Famous sociologist Elchin Bayramli told Medianews.az that if the proposed amendments come into force, they will contribute to combating harmful content on social networks. In this regard, E. Bayramli assessed the draft law submitted for discussion in the National Assembly positively.
The sociologist noted that similar experience is applied in many countries, and such an approach is important for public safety and protection of ethical norms:
“There are written and unwritten rules in the public environment. Currently, insults against the nation’s national and spiritual values, state attributes, historical figures, and the transmission of harmful ideas to youth are widespread on the internet. In fact, immorality is being promoted. People are subjected to negative psychological impact. There is complete anarchy in this area.”
According to E. Bayramli, such cases are rarely encountered in media outlets because there is an ethics code and framework of responsibility for the media: “However, the situation on social networks is out of control, reaching an unbearable level. Serious warnings, fines, and in some cases restrictions, are now inevitable. Because such content seriously harms the healthy development of society. Especially the psychology of children and youth is disturbed. The people's moral values and statehood principles are undermined.
Sometimes such behavior is disguised with the pretext of ‘freedom’ or ‘modernity.’ But if these persons knew they would be held accountable, they would avoid such actions.”
The sociologist called on society to be responsible and stressed the importance of not supporting channels that produce harmful content:
“Such channels gain influence and money through subscriptions and shares. Society must boycott them and give priority to healthy content.”
According to E. Bayramli, public condemnation and state normative regulation should be implemented simultaneously:
“Experience of other countries shows that national-spiritual values, statehood and morality are untouchable. Threats to these areas must definitely be prevented.”
Oguz Ayvaz,
Medianews.az
