Keyword: «freedom of information»

The role that information plays in modern society is due to large-scale changes in politics, economics, geopolitics, and therefore studies aimed at understanding the features of the mechanism for restricting freedom of information and the corresponding legal mechanism are of particular relevance. No less important is the issue of the institution of censorship as a mechanism for controlling information, its production, storage and distribution. Despite the constitutional ban on censorship, there are a number of normative legal acts in the Russian Federation that, in one way or another, allow the restriction of freedom of information, i.e. actually regulate censorship or its individual manifestations. The article discusses the doctrinal and normative approaches to understanding the institution of censorship in Russia, distinguishes between the categories of "censorship" and "restriction of freedom of information". The author substantiates the conclusion that the categories of "censorship" and "restriction of freedom of information" are not identical, and, therefore, unlawful restriction of freedom of information, or its unlawful complete ban, should be considered censorship. At the same time, the restriction of freedom of information that is permissible and introduced in order to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the individual, society and the state should be considered “positive censorship”.