刑法视角下网络型诽谤罪的认定困境与司法完善研究

Research on the Identification Dilemmas and Judicial Perfection of Cyber Defamation Crime from the Perspective of Criminal Law

摘要: 随着信息技术的深度发展，网络空间已成为现代社会运行的基础性架构。虚拟空间中的诽谤行为因具备传播速率指数级增长、影响范围跨地域延伸、危害后果不可控等特征。虽然我国刑法及其相关司法解释，在认定上初步形成了该罪的规制框架。但仍存在认定上困境，即“诽谤事实”的界定不明确、“情节严重”的认定标准不统一、网络型诽谤罪与传统型诽谤罪区分标准模糊。笔者基于上述认定困境，以刑法视角下，探讨网络型诽谤罪的认定要件，并根据刑法规范目的、法益保护属性，厘清诽谤事实边界，打破唯数量标准、综合认定“情节严重”标准，明确两类诽谤罪的界限；通过细化法律适用、规范证据认定、自诉公诉衔接、明确多元主体责任、加强司法指引等途径完善司法规则，平衡言论自由与名誉权保护，提高网络空间治理法治化水平。

Abstract: With the in-depth development of information technology, cyberspace has become the basic framework for the operation of modern society. Defamatory acts in the virtual space are characterized by an exponential growth in communication speed, cross-regional extension of influence scope, and uncontrollable harmful consequences. Although China’s Criminal Law and relevant judicial interpretations have initially established a regulatory framework for the conviction of this crime, prominent identification dilemmas still remain. Specifically, the definition of “defamatory facts” is ambiguous, the criteria for determining “serious circumstances” are inconsistent, and the distinguishing standards between cyber defamation crime and traditional defamation crime are vague. From the perspective of criminal law, this paper analyzes the constitutive elements of cyber defamation crime. In accordance with the normative purpose of criminal law and the attributes of legal interest protection, it clarifies the boundary of defamatory facts, abandons the sole quantitative standard, and adopts a comprehensive evaluation system for “serious circumstances”, so as to distinguish the boundaries between the two types of defamation crimes. By refining the application of law, standardizing evidence determination, optimizing the connection between private prosecution and public prosecution, clarifying the liabilities of multiple subjects and strengthening judicial guidance, this paper aims to improve judicial rules, strike a balance between freedom of speech and the protection of reputation rights, and promote the rule of law in cyberspace governance.