Bill would limit who can fact-check fake news

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would ban fact-checking of fake news on social networks, blogs, websites, the press and audiovisual media by people or entities dependent on governments or with political ties, unless the owner publicly and visibly declares that condition.
2. It would ban any fact-checking of fake news carried out by government authorities.
3. It would ban any fact-checking of opinions, whether done by the owners of media and platforms or by the government.
4. It would reserve the final say on any decision about fake news fact-checking to the courts.
5. Social networks, blogs, websites, the press and audiovisual media would be civilly liable if their fact-checking violates freedom of opinion or freedom of information, and affected people could go to court, including for preliminary injunctions.
6. It would repeal, where they conflict with this law, the Information Society Services Act, the Press and Printing Act and the General Audiovisual Communication Act. The law would take effect the day after its publication in the official state gazette (BOE).

Who it affects

• Social networks, blogs and websites: They could not assign fake news fact-checking to partisan or government-dependent entities unless they publicly declare it, and they would face civil liability for violations.
• Print, digital and audiovisual media: The same rules on fact-checking and civil liability would apply to them as to digital platforms.
• Government and public authorities: They would be banned from fact-checking fake news and from fact-checking opinions.
• Users, readers, listeners and viewers: They could go to court if their freedom of opinion or information is violated.
• Judges and courts: They would be the only ones with authority to decide on fake news fact-checking.

Words worth knowing

Verificación de noticias falsas (fact-checking)

Checking whether a news story is true before or after it is published.

Ley orgánica (organic law)

A type of Spanish law that, under the Constitution, is required to develop fundamental rights and needs special majorities in Congress.

Censura previa (prior censorship)

When authorities block or control something before it is published. The Spanish Constitution bans it, unless a judge orders it.

Responsabilidad civil (civil liability)

The obligation to pay compensation or repair damage caused to another person.

Justicia cautelar (interim relief)

Urgent measures a judge can order to protect a right while the case is ongoing.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries