a day ago
The harsh penalty one Indian state wants for spreading ‘fake news'
Karnataka, a southern Indian state, is drafting legislation to combat "fake news" with potential jail terms of up to seven years and fines.
The proposed bill aims to punish those posting "fake news," "anti-feminist" content, or "promoting superstition," establishing special courts and regulatory committees.
State officials argue the law is necessary to address "digital information disorder" and prevent community disharmony, citing numerous incidents in coastal Karnataka.
While the federal government has taken some measures, Karnataka is the first Indian state to enact its own comprehensive legislation against misinformation.
Critics, such as the Internet Freedom Foundation, warn that the subjective nature of "misinformation" could lead to the law infringing on constitutional free speech rights.
