SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FAKE NEWS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN INDIA

The proliferation of disinformation brought about by the quick development of digital platforms has created serious obstacles to social cohesiveness and public dialogue. A growing number of stakeholders, including the Indian government, are worried about how fake news affects public safety, democracy, and social peace. The Information Technology Act and other recent revisions that try to regulate online content are among the legal frameworks that are examined in this study. In weighing user rights, it evaluates social media corporations' role in content moderation. This paper examines the intricate relationship that exists between India's right to free expression and social media liability for spreading false information. The paper illustrates the conflicts between the need for responsibility in preventing fake news and the requirement to protect free expression by examining case studies and public responses. The results highlight the need for a balanced strategy that encourages responsible communication without suppressing free speech, which will eventually help to shape policy conversations on digital governance in India.