Assessing the Legitimacy of Penalising Media Organisations for Disseminating ‘Fake News’
Bulelani Thukuse 
Issue: Vol.6 No.9 Article 8 pp.1869 – 1878
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025698 | Published online 20th August, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The purpose of this study was to explore the complex and evolving issue of penalising media organisations for the dissemination of ‘fake news’ in the digital age. As false information continues to spread rapidly across various platforms, the tension between safeguarding freedom of the press and protecting the public from misinformation has become a pressing concern. This paper critically examined the ethical, legal, and societal implications of imposing penalties on media outlets, assessing whether such measures align with principles of free expression and democratic accountability. It further reviewed international regulatory approaches to combating fake news, analysing their effectiveness, limitations, and broader impacts on media independence. By drawing on case studies, legal frameworks, and regulatory practices, the study investigated whether current models strike an appropriate balance between curbing misinformation and upholding press freedoms. Additionally, the paper considered the broader consequences of penalising media organisations, including effects on public trust, journalistic integrity, and the resilience of democratic institutions. It hopes to contribute to ongoing debates around media regulation by offering recommendations for fair, transparent, and rights-respecting strategies to address the challenges posed by fake news.
Keywords: Fake News, Freedom of the Press, Regulation, Media Organisations, Democratic Accountability
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Communication Decency Act of 1995.
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Communication Decency Act of 1995.
Film and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019.
Films and Publications Act 4 of 1976.
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Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013
Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 153 of 1993.
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 13 of 2000.
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Bulelani Thukuse (LLB) (LLM Candidate), School of Law, Faculty of Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa.
Thukuse, Bulelani . “Assessing the Legitimacy of Penalising Media Organisations for Disseminating ‘Fake News’ ,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 9 (2025): 1869 – 1878, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025698.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
