The concept of propaganda: legal and linguistic aspects

Abstract

The article deals with the features of interpretation of the concept of propaganda in jurisprudence and in forensic-linguistic (semantic-textual) examination. Definitions of propaganda in the current criminal and administrative legislation of Ukraine are analyzed, as well as in scientific and practical comments on relevant articles of law. There are significant differences both in the understanding of propaganda in various areas of jurisprudence, and with interpretations in the language. In jurisprudence, including in laws, there is an unjustified narrowing of this concept, an inadmissible extension of its content, as well as the absence of its definition. The author reveals the main components of the content of the concept of “propaganda”. It is proposed to introduce the notion of destructive propaganda as well as the authorʼs definitions of propaganda of war, propaganda of racial, national, religious intolerance, propaganda of suicide, propaganda of the use of funds and substances harmful to human health, clarification to the existing definition of propaganda of the cult of violence and cruelty. It is proved that the lack of due attention to the issues of destructive propaganda on the part of lawyers can lead to both impunity for its implementation and to a total struggle against dissent.