Abu Dhabi Judiciary launches an expanded awareness campaign to combat crimes of electronic defamation and defamation

The Abu Dhabi Center for Legal and Community Awareness at the Judicial Department, “Responsibility,” launched an expanded awareness campaign on the crimes of defamation and electronic defamation, aiming to enhance legal awareness of the dangers of misuse of social media, and to clarify the legal and social consequences resulting from these crimes, as part of the efforts aimed at establishing a culture of respect for the law, and supporting the safe and responsible use of these means, in a way that contributes to the protection of rights.
The campaign comes in light of the widespread spread of social networking sites, and the ease of publishing and circulating content on a large scale, which some have exploited to insult others, which has led to harm to individuals and society, and has made the crimes of electronic defamation and insults one of the most common crimes across the information network and information technology means.
The campaign, which will last for two months, aims to deliver legal awareness in an innovative way to various segments of society, especially users of social media platforms, by diversifying educational means and employing modern technology to provide awareness content through traditional and modern media platforms, such as radio and television programs and press reports, with a focus on social media platforms due to their wide spread among various segments of society.
This includes the production of visual, audio, and electronic materials, such as awareness videos, audio clips, and interactive digital materials, in addition to publishing a number of awareness bulletins that include simplified legal information about the concept of insult and slander, their forms, the means used to commit them, and the legally prescribed penalties.
The campaign also includes publishing a group of stories and facts that were examined before the courts, with the aim of drawing legal lessons from them, in addition to organizing lectures and awareness-raising workshops in schools, universities and councils, to promote a culture of responsible dialogue, adherence to controls on expression of opinion, and respect for others in cyberspace.
The campaign’s objectives are focused on a number of axes, the most prominent of which are: raising the level of legal awareness of the concept of crimes of electronic defamation and defamation, clarifying the words and actions that constitute abuse punishable by law, and introducing images of defamation and defamation through social media, whether through writing, publishing, direct speech, or the use of offensive symbols, images, and signs, video and audio clips, or private messages.
The campaign’s objectives also include clarifying the causes of the spread of the phenomenon of electronic insults and defamation, including anger and rapid emotions, the desire for revenge, the search for fame, being influenced by the surrounding environment, weak cultural and moral awareness, and ignorance of the laws, and highlighting the psychological and social damage that befalls the victim, such as tarnishing reputation, deteriorating mental health, social isolation, and loss of trust, in addition to the negative effects that affect society, such as spreading a culture of hatred, weak civilized dialogue, and the disintegration of social relations.
The campaign includes awareness of how to avoid legal accountability when using social media platforms, through self-control, respecting the opinions of others, and thinking before posting or commenting, in addition to guiding individuals on ways to prevent them from being exposed to electronic abuse, such as adjusting privacy settings, using blocking and reporting tools, and preserving evidence when exposed to abuse, in addition to stating the legal responsibility and penalties imposed on perpetrators of crimes of electronic insult and defamation in accordance with applicable legislation.
The campaign will work to enhance legal knowledge among members of society by clarifying the difference between freedom of expression and insulting others, and emphasizing that the exercise of opinion must be within a framework of respect and responsibility, and in a way that does not result in harming the dignity, honor, or reputation of others.
The campaign also focuses on highlighting the long-term effects of negative comments published via cyberspace, which may remain in circulation for long periods and be difficult to erase, thus doubling the amount of damage to the victim.
The campaign includes awareness messages directed to various segments of society, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the etiquette of dialogue and respecting the other opinion, avoiding being carried away by anger and momentary emotions when interacting with electronic content, refraining from using offensive words or expressions that affect the dignity of others, and using available legal means when exposed to abuse instead of responding in kind, in addition to introducing the correct methods for reporting offensive content through the relevant official channels.
The Center confirmed that the legislation in force criminalizes acts of insult and defamation committed via the information network and information technology means, and tightens the penalties prescribed for them due to the assault on honor and prestige they entail, and the resulting serious harm to individuals and society, which may lead to imprisonment and a fine in accordance with the relevant legal texts.
He pointed out that ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility, which requires enhancing awareness of the legal texts regulating the use of social media, and the boundaries between freedom of expression and legal responsibility.