Treaty on Non-Proliferation

           When Kazakhstan adopted a law on criminal liability for the dissemination of false information, I was sympathetic to this news.

           I perfectly understand that a false rumor about a bankruptcy of a bank can cause an outflow of deposits from it and lead to its real bankruptcy.

          Or, say, a rumor about an impending earthquake in Alma-Ata can cause panic and a stampede at airports and train stations.

          In all such cases, someone’s prank or foolishness can cause great harm to people.

          The state, adopting such a law, tries to explain to citizens the danger of such rumors and imposes punishment on them. As it were, makes a social contract on their non-proliferation.

          But!

          Any agreement must generate mutual obligations of the parties.

          If the people on their part agree with the punishment of the rumor distributors, then the state on its part must provide this very people with official and truthful information. Just so that rumors do not arise.

          When there is no official information, but something is really happening, such as mudflow in Alma-Ata, the lack of information will necessarily be filled with somebody’s assumptions and fantasies.

          Well, what did you want?

          When you are waiting for news from somewhere, then the squeak of a mosquito in that direction will seem to you news.

          This is the nature of man.

          In this regard, a fair question arises in one of the parties to the social contract, the people: “Do you want that there were no rumors? Then, provide clear and truthful information yourself in a timely manner.

          If you can not or do not want to fulfill your part of the contract, then do not expect us to comply with the terms of the treaty on non-proliferation of rumors”.