Tort Liability for Disseminating and Circulating Rumors via Social Media Platforms

Abstract

This study addresses the legal complexities surrounding the dissemination of rumors and false news through electronic media. While these digital platforms have provided an open space for expression, they are frequently exploited to engineer severe crises, necessitating specialized legislative and regulatory measures—particularly given the intricacies of modern technology and the challenges of judicial oversight. The research aims to elucidate the principles of civil (tort) liability as a legal foundation for holding perpetrators accountable, obligating them to compensate for both material and moral damages inflicted upon individuals and society. The core research problem revolves around conceptualizing, classifying, proving, and evaluating the severity of electronic rumors, as well as examining their legal ramifications through civil compensation claims and remedies. Furthermore, it assesses the adequacy and adaptability of Libyan legislation in responding to developments in this domain. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology to examine relevant legal texts, complemented by a comparative approach where applicable, the study highlights key legislative lacunae in the Libyan framework. Specifically, it underscores the absence of specialized provisions governing civil liability for this distinct category of harmful acts, alongside a lack of effective evidentiary standards and supervisory mechanisms required to establish the physical act, prove fault, and identify the actual wrongdoer.