A new law in South Korea aims to combat misinformation and disinformation, imposing heavy penalties on traditional news and internet media for publishing false information, including deepfakes. Courts can award punitive damages of up to five times the losses against offending news organizations and large YouTube channels. The media regulator may fine outlets up to 1 billion won for repeatedly sharing confirmed false information. Critics worry the law’s vague definitions could lead to self-censorship among journalists.
The law has drawn concern from the U.S., which views it as a potential threat to digital cooperation and free speech, citing similar tensions with online safety legislation in the EU, UK, and Australia. The U.S. State Department has expressed “grave concern” regarding the law’s impact. Despite opposition, the bill passed with significant support in South Korea’s National Assembly. This situation highlights global challenges surrounding fake information and online freedom, exacerbated by advancements in AI and deepfake technology.
