ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the recent German anti-fake-news law in a very practical context. The whole idea surrounding the law, which takes a novel and unique approach, was built on the premise that the greatest risk for the flow of information comes from the spread of fake news on social media. These platforms have largely replaced traditional media to a large extent as the primary source of news. The chapter focuses on the issues such as the limits of truth and fact checking, responsibility of the State vis-a-vis the individual in the field of free speech and the limitations, which exist as to what can be achieved by legislating. It explains the Relotius affair, its significance, and its consequences. The chapter briefly analyses the new legal system aimed at combating hate speech and fake news in place in Germany as a starting point for any contextual analysis of the Relotius affair.
