LEGAL CONTROL OF FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN INDIA

The rapid growth of social media platforms in India has revolutionized communication but has also led to the unchecked spread of fake news, posing significant threats to public order, national security, and democratic institutions. This paper critically examines the legal control mechanisms available in India to combat fake news on social media. It explores the existing legal framework, including provisions under the Information Technology Act, Indian Penal Code, and the Intermediary Guidelines of 2021. Despite these efforts, the regulation of fake news faces numerous challenges such as definitional ambiguity, enforcement difficulties, technological limitations, and concerns over freedom of speech. The paper highlights the complexities involved in balancing legal control with constitutional rights and emphasizes the need for a more coherent, transparent, and technologically adaptive legal strategy. It concludes by recommending a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, social media platforms, legal institutions, and civil society to ensure responsible information dissemination while upholding democratic values.