FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND WORD IN THE CONTEXT OF COUNTERING INFORMATION EXTREMISM 

Sintsov Gleb Vladimirovich, Doctor of juridical sciences, professor, head of sub-department of private and public law, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: g_sintsov@mail.ru
Feoktistov Danil Evgen'evich, Candidate of juridical sciences, associate professor, sub-department of private and public law, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), E-mail: d_e_f@bk.ru 

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10.21685/2072-3016-2018-4-2 

Background. One of social reactions to the current political and social structure, the legal and non-legal status of certain social groups may be manifestations of certain extreme and radical sentiments and attitudes in society, and subsequently extreme actions. And if the Constitution of the Russian Federation recognizes freedom of thought for everyone, i.e. the borders beyond which the state will definitely not be able to pass (at least in view of the development of modern technologies), the state may limit freedom of speech to a certain extent – “in order to protect the fundamentals of the constitutional order, morality, health, rights and legitimate interests of persons, ensuring the defense of the country and the security of the state” (part 3 article 55 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
Materials and methods. The authors analyzed scientific literature on the research topic.
Results. The necessity has risen to correct the legislation and law-application in the direction of not fighting individual statements in the public space, but rather against truly serious information and legal problems of the spread of extremism. As modern practice shows, most of the information is gone to the Internet, and these trends cannot be ignored.
Conclusions. It is unacceptable to qualify all manifestations of freedom of thought and speech, even radical ones, as extremist. Legal regulation in this area should be very careful, it is important not to upset the balance between freedom in a democratic society, the rights and freedoms of one person and national security, ensuring the rights and freedoms of others. 

extremism, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, limitation of constitutional rights and freedoms 

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