The Evolution of Norms Establishing Criminal Liability for Public Dissemination of Knowingly False Information in Russian Law

<jats:p>The article examines the history of the emergence and development of legal provisions establishing criminal liability for the public dissemination of knowingly false information. It identifies the most characteristic features of these laws in the pre-Soviet and Soviet periods. The article concludes that the structure and purpose of these laws depend on the political and social context of society during various historical periods. It identifies historically conditioned shortcomings in the structure and application of the provisions set forth in Articles 207.1–207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.</jats:p>