MediaNama’s Take: Karnataka Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge has distanced himself from the alleged draft of Karnataka’s misinformation bill that was circulated widely in the media. The previous draft had provisions that sought to regulate “fake news” and “misinformation”, including penalising content labelled as “anti-feminist” or disrespectful toward “Sanatan symbols”. Authorities with political interests could easily misuse such vague legal language, especially considering India’s cultural and political sensitivities.
As inter-departmental consultations continue, the government must address the policy experts’ concerns related to the older draft stifling free speech, which are still valid and necessary. Although India already has the IT Act 2000 and the Intermediary Guidelines of 2021, a separate state law to regulate online content could set a new precedent for how state governments can govern and moderate online information in the country without undermining free speech and conflicting with central laws.
What’s the News?
Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s minister for electronics, information technology and biotechnology, dismissed reports on a previous version of the state’s misinformation bill and said the draft is undergoing inter-departmental consultations. He told Business Standard the version circulating in the media “has nothing to do with us” and appears to be based on a private bill introduced in Parliament.
When earlier drafts circulated online, Kharge said the bill’s “sole objective is to address the growing digital information disorder.” He added the focus is on tackling misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and fake news, and “nothing beyond that.” He made the statement on X in response to Apar Gupta’s op-ed on Karnataka’s draft misinformation bill.
The earlier version of the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, that MediaNama reviewed had provisions that required new legal frameworks to regulate online content and social media platforms at the state level, including forming a ‘Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority’ to oversee the enforcement of the bill. If anyone was found guilty of posting fake news by the Authority, they could face seven years of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs. 10 Lakh, or both.
Priyank Kharge on Misinformation and Fake News
In the same interview, Kharge pointed out the difference between misinformation, malinformation and fake news. For misinformation, he gave the…
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