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Karnataka Proposes Law Imposing Seven-Year Jail for Fake News

The draft bill will be tabled at the next cabinet meeting, launching a crackdown on online misinformation through a six-member regulatory authority

Peddling fake news on social can land one in massive trouble, according to the new bill proposed by Karnataka government.
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Overview

  • The draft law stipulates a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment or a Rs 10 lakh fine for users convicted of posting fabricated news, with a two- to five-year sentence and fines for misinformation deemed harmful to public health, safety, tranquility or elections.
  • A six-member Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority will be appointed by the state government to enforce bans on misleading or harmful content, including abusive or obscene posts and material that disrespects cultural symbols or promotes superstition.
  • The bill provides for dedicated special courts and at least one special public prosecutor in each bench of the Karnataka High Court to ensure expedited trials of offences under the act.
  • Under the proposed framework, offences are cognisable and non-bailable, with courts empowered to direct intermediaries or publishers to remove content within 30 days and to impose daily fines up to Rs 25 000 for noncompliance.
  • The legislation defines ‘misinformation’ as knowingly or recklessly sharing false statements of fact and ‘fake news’ as misquotation, distorted multimedia or fully fabricated reports.