论网络谣言型寻衅滋事罪的法律适用

疫情背景下,有关网络传谣行为的刑法规制问题再次引发广泛关注。大量裁判案例显示,网络谣言型寻衅滋事罪的打击范围出现了相当程度的偏差,亟需对该罪构成要件的规制范围做出更加贴合时代需求的分析研究。在解释论上,应将“虚假信息”解释为“与事实不符的信息”,而非“没有根据的信息”。不应将行为人的“实质恶意”视为“主观明知”的判断因素。在逻辑上,虽然“网络空间秩序”是“公共场所秩序”的内涵之一,但在我国目前的社会条件下还不宜将之上升为独立的刑法法益。因此,我们应将该罪中的“公共秩序”限缩解释为物理空间中的“公共场所秩序”。在下次刑法修正时,立法者可以考虑将在网络中传播谣言并造成公共场所秩序严重混乱的行为,明确设置为一个独立的轻罪罪名。

On the Application Regarding the Crime of Creating Network-Rumor Disturbances

In the background of the COVID-19, the criminal law regulation of network rumor has aroused widespread concern again. Many cases show that the crime of "creating network-rumor disturbances" has been inappropriately applied, thus it is necessary to clarify its constitutive elements through interpretation. The essence of "false information" is not "unfounded", but "inconsistent with the facts". "Actual malice" shall not be considered as the standard of "subjective knowledge". "Public order" shall be interpreted as "order in physical public places". In the next amendment of China''s criminal law, legislators can consider the act of spreading rumors on the Internet and causing serious chaos in public places as an independent misdemeanor.