Dissemination of false information as a mean of hybrid warfare

The article is devoted to the study of a number of concepts that are often equated both in public life and in legal science and legislative practice, namely “misinformation”, “unreliable information”, “false rumours”. The opinion regarding the impossibility of their interchangeability is argued. It is determined that unverified information may turn out to be either true or unreliable (false). There are examples of the fact that unverified information about the actions of the authorities undermines confidence in the state authorities. Attention is focused on the fact that the dissemination of unverified information by mass media is not always intended to cause damage or negative consequences, but they may occur. It is emphasized that “misinformation”, “unreliable information” should be used separately, and “unreliable information” and “false rumors” can be used interchangeably, and a separate category is “unverified information”, the authenticity of which can be proven. Attention is focused on the fact that the lack of legislative consolidation of the categories “information war” and “hybrid war” both at the national and international level leads to a number of negative consequences, in particular, regarding the difficulties of bringing the aggressor state to justice.