사이버공간은 서로 연결된 네트워크를 통해 확보된 추상적인 공간으로서 개방성, 쌍방향성, 익명성, 온라인서비스제공자 존재라는 특성을 지닌다. 이러한 특성은 사이버명예훼손규제에 있어 새로운 패러다임을 요구한다. 따라서 명예훼손을 규제하는데 있어서는 표현의 자유와의 충돌문제, 매체특성론적 접근의 필요성, 온라인서비스제공자의 법적책임 등이 규제상의 문제점으로 거론될 수 있다.사이버명예훼손에 관한 규제에 있어 기존의 법률을 보완하여 규제하자는 견해도 있으나, 사이버 범죄가 날로 증가되고 있는 현실을 감안할 때 사이버범죄를 총괄적으로 규율하는 특별법을 제정하여 그 안에서 사이버명예훼손을 다루는 것이 바람직하다. 특히 표현의 자유와의 조화문제 및 온라인서비스제공자의 책임 문제를 심도 있게 고려하여 규율할 필요가 있다. 또한 사이버명예훼손에 관한 법률 해석에 있어서도 미국의 ‘현실적 악의의 원칙'(Actual Malice Doctrine)을 사이버명예훼손에 적용하여 사이버공간의 특수성을 고려한 법률해석을 요한다. 사이버명예훼손에 관한 근본적인 대체방안은 인터넷 교육의 강화에 있다고 할 것이다. 이와 관련하여 범국민차원에서 클린넷(Clean net)운동을 전개하고, 학교교육과정에서도 인터넷 윤리교육을 강화할 필요가 있다.

A Problem of Regulation and Countermeasure on the Criminal of Libel in Cyberspace Cyber space is an abstract space obtained through a network connected with one another and it has characters of which are openness, two-way character, anonymity and on-line server. These require a new paradigm on the restriction of cyber libel. Thus, the conflict against the freedom of expression, the necessity of characteristic approach on media and legal responsibility of on-line server in restricting libel could be mentioned as a problem. There is an opinion to restrict it by supplementing current law on restriction of cyber libel, but handling the cyber libel by establishing a special law that regulates cyber crimes in the block would be appropriate when the current reality of increasing cyber crime is considered. Especially, it needs to regulate the concerns in the in depth consideration of freedom of expression, matters of harmony and the responsibility of on-line server. Also, in the matter of legal translation of cyber libel, a legal translation that the specialty of cyber space is considered by applying American “Actual Malice Doctrine” for cyber libel is required. I can say that the fundamental measure to cope with cyber libel is reinforcing the internet education. In association with this, development of Clean Net Movement at the level of whole nation and reinforcement of internet ethics education in the course of school education are required.

A Problem of Regulation and Countermeasure on the Criminal of Libel in Cyberspace Cyber space is an abstract space obtained through a network connected with one another and it has characters of which are openness, two-way character, anonymity and on-line server. These require a new paradigm on the restriction of cyber libel. Thus, the conflict against the freedom of expression, the necessity of characteristic approach on media and legal responsibility of on-line server in restricting libel could be mentioned as a problem. There is an opinion to restrict it by supplementing current law on restriction of cyber libel, but handling the cyber libel by establishing a special law that regulates cyber crimes in the block would be appropriate when the current reality of increasing cyber crime is considered. Especially, it needs to regulate the concerns in the in depth consideration of freedom of expression, matters of harmony and the responsibility of on-line server. Also, in the matter of legal translation of cyber libel, a legal translation that the specialty of cyber space is considered by applying American “Actual Malice Doctrine” for cyber libel is required. I can say that the fundamental measure to cope with cyber libel is reinforcing the internet education. In association with this, development of Clean Net Movement at the level of whole nation and reinforcement of internet ethics education in the course of school education are required.

Crime of Libel, Cyber Space, Cyber-Crime of Libel