德国法上的意见表达和事实陈述的区分

在德国法上,将言论自由所保护的言论区分为意见表达和事实陈述,并根据二者受保护的价值基础分别提供不同程度的保护,这不仅是德国宪法处理言论自由保护问题的基本架构,而且是其他下位阶法律处理言论自由与其他权益保护之间冲突的出发点。以此区分为基础,德国民法上的名誉保护规则也基本上是按侮辱对应意见表达、诽谤对应事实陈述的方式建构起来的。

On Distinction of Expression of opinion and Statement of Facts in German Law

Pursuant to German Law, protection of freedom of speech covers expression of opinion and statement of facts, with different protection measures according to their respective values. Such distinction not only decides the basic framework of the Constitution, but also forms the starting point of other laws with lower rank to reconcile the conflict between freedom of speech and other lawful rights. Accordingly, rules on protection of reputation in German civil law also rely on such distinction, that is, insult is concerned with expression of opinions and libel is concerned with statement of facts.