In South Korea, the liberal-led National Assembly passed a contentious bill aimed at combating fake news and disinformation. The legislation was approved on a Wednesday with a vote tally of 170-3, following a lengthy filibuster from the conservative opposition, the People Power Party (PPP). Despite widespread concerns from journalist groups and civil liberty advocates about potential censorship, the Democratic Party argued that the bill is vital for protecting democracy from harmful misinformation that can incite division and hate speech. The law allows courts to impose punitive damages of up to five times the proven losses against media outlets spreading illegal information, alongside fines from the media regulator for repeat offenses. Critics of the bill have pointed out that its vagueness on defining ‘false information’ could lead to the stifling of critical reporting. The Democrats maintained that punitive measures would only apply to deliberately harmful misinformation, while exempting satire and parody. The bill aims to foster accountability in the media landscape but raises fears about the implications for freedom of expression and the possibility of discouraging scrutiny against public figures and corporations. In the context of the global landscape, the bill reflects a growing trend among governments grappling with the spread of disinformation online, akin to ongoing debates in Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European allies expressed outrage at U.S. sanctions related to anti-disinformation activists, which they perceived as an attack on free expression. The sanctions incited backlash due to accusations of censorship disguised as protective action against misinformation. Both situations illustrate the tensions between combating disinformation and upholding free speech. The clash between regulation and expression is evident in both jurisdictions, highlighting the need for balance as governments navigate a rapidly evolving digital communication landscape.