We encounter misinformation and slander every day — both in the real world and online. Our firm’s partner Jan Sůra talked about them in an interview for legal.tv.
This is a significant issue that can not only harm an individual but also deceive and mislead a broader group of people. In such cases, the law must balance two key values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – the right to the protection of human dignity and the right to freedom of expression. Where are the boundaries of lawful behavior, and how can one defend against the deliberate spread of lies? Does Czech law offer sufficient protection in these situations? Lawyer Jan Sůra has the answers.
“It’s important to say that not every false statement is necessarily unlawful. In each case, it’s essential to assess the intensity of the interference. Based on that intensity, we have tools in civil law, such as a lawsuit for the protection of personality, in administrative law we have misdemeanors against civil coexistence, and there’s also a whole range of criminal offenses that can be committed in public or online space — from defamation to spreading false alarms or making dangerous threats,” says Sůra.
He adds: “I believe freedom of expression is a wonderful right, and thanks to it, we can sit here today and talk together. Public opinion polls also show that freedom of expression is one of the values Czechs appreciate the most after the events of November 1989.”
Watch the full video here.
Source: Legal.tv and Lidovky.cz
