New Karnataka bill to curb fake news, ban online content against feminism, Sanatan symbols

According to the draft bill, any social media user found guilty of posting fake news could face imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, or both

The Karnataka government is likely to table the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News Prohibition Bill, 2025, which seeks to criminalise the dissemination of misinformation on digital platforms and proposes to prohibit content deemed anti-feminist, obscene, or disrespectful to Sanatan symbols on social media.

Moneycontrol had reported on June 19 that the state is considering two key legislative proposals, the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News Prohibition Bill, 2025, and the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime Prevention Bill, 2025, aimed at addressing the rising concern over digital misinformation and hate speech.

Also Read: Karnataka mulls bill to curb fake news, hate speech; proposes 7-year jail term, Rs 10 lakh fine

According to the draft bill, any social media user found guilty of posting fake news could face imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, or both. The legislation defines fake news as fabricated content, misquotations, or edited audio and video clips that distort facts or context. It also includes knowingly or recklessly making false statements of fact, excluding satire, parody, religious or philosophical opinions, or artistic expression.

The draft also provides for the creation of a 'Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority', which will oversee the implementation of the law. The authority will be chaired by the Minister for Kannada and Culture and include members of the state legislature, representatives of social media platforms, and senior government officials. It will be empowered to enforce a complete ban on fake news, and prohibit the posting of abusive, obscene, anti-feminist content or content that disrespects Sanatan symbols and beliefs. It also seeks to curb the spread of superstition and mandates that content related to science, history, religion, philosophy, and literature be based on authentic research.

Social media platforms to be made accountable 

The draft bill states that companies and social media platforms may also be held liable for fake news shared through their networks. If such content is linked to a company, its responsible officers can be prosecuted unless they prove they had no knowledge or had taken steps to prevent the violation. "Non-compliance with court orders, such as content takedown, can attract a fine of Rs 25,000 per day, up to a maximum of Rs 25 lakh, and imprisonment of up to two years".

The bill proposes the establishment of special courts to try offences under this Act. These courts, presided over by sessions judges and designated in consultation with the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, will also have powers to issue 'correction' and 'disabling' directions to remove or restrict access to content considered misinformation.

"Offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable. Bail can be granted only if the special public prosecutor has been given a chance to oppose it, and the court is satisfied that the accused is not guilty and unlikely to reoffend", it said.

The bill’s statement of objects underscores the urgency of regulating fake news, highlighting the increasing spread of harmful content via platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. Citing a study by MIT’s Media Lab, the draft notes that fake news spreads significantly faster than real news, and that a small fraction of users is responsible for the majority of misinformation. State government officials said that existing legal measures are inadequate and that this proposed legislation is necessary to preserve public order, safety, and social harmony in the digital age.

Also Read: Karnataka government’s fact-check unit to combat fake news now operational