سياسة الوقاية من الشائعات الكاذبة: إطارها القانوني وآلياتها المؤسسية في تعزيز أمن المجتمع

دعاء قاسم حميد; دعاء قاسم حميد

doi:10.64184/ajlps.V2.I4.Y2025.P229-257.259

Authors

Duaa Qassim Hameed Author
Dr. Aziz Sami Hussein Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64184/ajlps.V2.I4.Y2025.P229-257.259

Keywords:

Preventive Policy, False Rumors, Precautionary Measures, Combating False Rumors

Abstract

This research addresses the policy of preventing false rumors as an integral part of modern criminal policy, examining the legal and social frameworks aimed at stopping the spread of false rumors before they turn into actions harmful to society. The study relied on the analysis of field data through questionnaires and interviews with relevant official authorities, particularly the Ministries of Interior and Education, to enhance community awareness. The research highlighted that current laws require development to include explicit preventive provisions, and that the digital space represents a double-edged tool: it can accelerate the spread of false rumors or serve as an effective means of prevention if appropriate monitoring and verification tools are applied. The study concluded with a set of recommendations, most notably promoting public awareness, activating the role of official institutions, and reviewing legislation related to false rumors to expand the scope of preventive measures.

References

1- Hassan Khanjar Ajeel Al-Tamimi, Criminal Policy in the Execution of Punishment (A Comparative Study), Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Babylon, College of Law, Iraq, 2017, p.162.

2- Sabah Musbah Mahmoud Al-Hamdani, Nadia Abdullah Al-Taif Ahmed, The Concept of Preventive Criminal Policy, University of Tikrit, College of Law, Tikrit University Law Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, Part 1, 2017, pp. 36-45.

3- See: Article (103) of the Iraqi Penal Code, amended by Law No. 111 of 1969: “1– No precautionary measure provided for by law may be imposed on a person unless it has been proven that they committed an act considered a crime by law and that their condition is considered dangerous to the safety of society. The criminal is considered dangerous to society if it is shown from their circumstances, past, behavior, and the conditions and motives of the crime that there is a serious likelihood of committing another crime.”

4- Mohammed Mohammed Misbah Al-Qadi, Preventive Measures in Criminal Policy: Positivist and Sharia Perspectives, Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, Cairo, Egypt, 2008, pp. 5-8.

5- Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Foundations of Criminal Policy, Dar al-Nahda al-Arabia, Egypt, 1972, pp.935,942.

6- See: Article (5) of the Iraqi Penal Code, amended by Law No. 111 of 1969: “A precautionary measure shall only be imposed in the cases and under the conditions stipulated by law. The provisions related to penalties shall apply to precautionary measures in terms of non-retroactivity and the applicability of the more favorable law to the accused.”

7- See: Article (1) of the Iraqi Penal Code, amended by Law No. 111 of 1969.

8- See: Article (104) of the Iraqi Penal Code, amended by Law No. 111 of 1969.

9- See: Articles (108, 99, 95) of the Iraqi Penal Code, amended by Law No. 111 of 1969; Ali Hussein Al-Khalaf, Sultan Abdul Qadir Al-Shawi, Ibid., pp. 413-415.

10- Hassan Khanjar Ajeel Al-Tamimi, Ibid., pp. 180-181.

11- Personal interview conducted by the researcher with Brigadier General Ammar Hamid Rahim, Department of Rumor Control, Directorate of Relations and Media, Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Baghdad, 2–3/6/2025. He confirmed that the information provided reflects the officially applied procedures in the ministry.

12- Brigadier General Miqdad Miri, Press Conference of the Head of the Directorate of Relations and Media, Ministry of Interior, Iraq, Media Office of the Minister of Interior, Baghdad, November 2025.

13- Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, available at: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024/index/nzl, (https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024/index/nzl) accessed November 2025.