Karnataka, a state in India, has recently unveiled an ambitious legislative proposal aimed at curbing the proliferation of fake news and misinformation online. Known as the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, the law seeks to introduce severe penalties for individuals and institutions engaged in the dissemination of false information. The bill includes provisions for a maximum of seven years in prison, along with Rs 10 lakhPenalties, for individuals charged with spreading fake news or misinformation. Additionally, the-action targets those who mistakenly spread misinformation, with possible two-to-five year prison sentences and monetary fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 per violation.
The proposed legislation also establishes a dedicated social-media regulatory authority, focusing on eightarysus剖和整形ord/unit. This authority, handpicked by the state government, will oversee the entire kilogramsquare marketing of fake news, preventing any type of misinformation. The authority will also prevent the publication of material that violates religious beliefs or promotes superstition, as well as any content that threatens women’s rights. Furthermore, the authority will ensure that scientific, historical, religious, philosophical, and literary content on social media are based on authentic research. The aim is to provide a unified and consistent framework for addressing misinformation online.
To uphold accountability, the bill proposes the creation of special courts, in addition to the Karnataka High Court. These special courts will handle penalties that are generally two to five years in prison or Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 per day, with the maximum daily fine not exceeding Rs 25,000. The courts will have jurisdiction over one or more districts, and their decisions will be enforced by intermediaries, publishers, broadcasters, and any entity managing online platforms that disseminate misinformation. If the courts impose simple imprisonment or impose up to two years in prison, they will impose fines of Rs 25,000 per day for seven consecutive days. Over a month, this could escalate to Rs 25 lakh.
The bill also outlines a process for individuals and companies to file complaints against those responsible for spreading misinformation. aggrieved parties will have up to 30 days to respond to formal notices and file aaramaa. If companies‘ executives were involved in the breach, in addition to holding them tened for liability, lawsuits against the executives will also be enforcible.
Overall, the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News Bill 2025 reflects the state government’s intense commitment to safeguarding public discourse and upholding the integrity of information shared online. By introducing comprehensive regulatory measures and special courts, the law aims to create a robust framework for accountability and coordination in the digital age. This step represents a significant milestone, setting a precedent for broader legal and ethical initiatives aimed at protecting the public interest in an era driven by rapid innovation and technological transformation.
