以事实为尺度：网络言论自由的界限与第三方事实核查-《南京师大学报》（社会科学版）

文章信息/Info

Title:: Taking Fact as the Only Criterion: The Boundary of Freedom ofSpeech and Third-Party Fact Checking

Keywords:: online expression; freedom of speech; fact checking; social media

摘要:: 在网络时代，传统媒体环境下的规范和约束机制已不再适用，判断表达者是否恰当地行使了表达权需要探索、寻求新的机制，尤其是针对来自非媒体机构或非媒体职业人士的言论和具有重大影响的政治性内容。以美国的“第三方事实核查机构”Snopes、PolitiFact和The Fact Checker为样本，对网络环境下表达权行使界限问题的研究发现：尽管表达自由仍然是重要的价值，但过去的标准、机制已经不再适应急剧变化的新的网络环境；第三方事实核查机构的出现，为规范言论表达重新确认了“事实”的尺度，为治理谣言、假新闻泛滥的网络空间，保护网络表达自由找到了折衷方案。这对我国规范网络言论以及舆情治理具有重要的启发和借鉴意义。

Abstract:: In the network era, the normative and restrictive mechanism in the traditional media environment isno longer applicable, and it is necessary to explore and seek new mechanisms for us to judge whether the rightto free speech is properly exercised, especially when it comes to political issues which have significant influenceon the society as well as the information coming from non-media organizations or the non-media professionals.Based on the analysis of the operation of the third-party fact-checking organizations in the United States, i.e.Snopes, PolitiFact and Fact Checker, this paper tries to explore the boundary of the exercise of the right to freespeech in the network era. Although speech freedom is still an important value cherished in network era, thenormative and restrictive mechanism cannot match the constant changing environment. The practice of thirdparty fact-checking has reaffirmed the importance of taking fact as the only criterion, which provides us with analternative solution to the problems in cyber space which is filled with rumors and fake news. All this has greatimplications for the governance of opinion expression in cyber space in China.