The Karnataka government's draft law aimed at prohibiting misinformation in the state proposes punishment with imprisonment which may extend up to seven years and fine up to Rs 10 lakhs or both, if any social media user is found guilty of posting fake news.The draft of the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake news (Prohibition) Bill, 2025 is likely to be placed before the next cabinet meet.Any individual outside or inside Karnataka who communicates misinformation to persons in the state, which is "prejudicial to public health, public safety, public tranquility or the conduct of free and fair elections" will face 2-5 years of imprisonment and will also be liable to fined. For abetting the spread of misinformation, two years of jail term has been proposed.As per the draft Bill, the state government shall ensure a complete prohibition on fake news on social media platforms.It provides for the government to constitute the "Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority" for carrying out the purpose of this proposed legislation.The Authority shall consist of -- the Minister for Kannada and Culture Information and Broadcasting as ex-officio Chairperson, one member each from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Karnataka Legislative Council, two representatives from social media platforms to be appointed by the State Government in such manner as may be prescribed as member and IAS officer who shall be the Secretary to the Authority.The draft bill defines "misinformation" as knowingly or recklessly making a false or inaccurate statement of fact, whether wholly or in part, in the context in which it appears excluding opinions, religious or philosophical sermons, satire, comedy or parody or any other form of artistic expression if a reasonable man of ordinary prudence does not pursue such communications as statements of fact.While, "fake news" has been defined as combinations of misquotation or the false and/or inaccurate report of one's statement. editing audio or video which results in the distortion of facts and/or the context, or purely fabricated content.
