The Rising Tide of Disinformation: A Threat to Southeast Asia’s Stability
The digital revolution, while bringing numerous benefits, has also unleashed a torrent of fake news and disinformation, posing a significant threat to the stability of Southeast Asian nations. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recognizes this as a critical issue, with misleading and harmful information potentially undermining domestic stability. However, despite acknowledging the problem, ASEAN’s response has remained largely at the normative level, lacking tangible regional action. This analysis examines the escalating disinformation challenge in Southeast Asia between 2017 and 2023, critiques current ASEAN policies, and offers recommendations for a more effective approach.
The pervasive use of social media platforms, now the primary news source for many in Southeast Asia, has exacerbated the disinformation problem. With approximately 68% of the region’s population active on social media, and younger demographics spending an average of 10 hours online daily, the potential for exposure to fabricated information is alarmingly high. This vulnerability is further compounded by a complex regional landscape characterized by varying levels of digital literacy, the presence of non-democratic regimes, a lack of coordination in regulating global tech companies, and a diverse media ecosystem. Authoritarian governments in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam exploit this environment, manipulating information to exert control and erode public trust. Specific examples include the spread of ethnically divisive propaganda in Myanmar, anti-Chinese sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, and a surge in online scams targeting vulnerable populations in Singapore.
Individual Southeast Asian nations have implemented disparate measures to combat disinformation, often influenced by global regulatory trends targeting Big Tech. These efforts, however, have been criticized for potentially amplifying state control over information access. Indonesia’s new criminal code, for example, allows for prosecution of individuals spreading misinformation about the government, while Thailand’s "Anti-Fake News Centre" focuses on censorship. Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) imposes strict penalties for disseminating false information. This fragmented approach, reflecting the diverse political and social contexts of each nation, hinders a unified regional strategy.
ASEAN’s collective response to disinformation has been primarily confined to normative agreements. While the organization has published guidelines on managing government information to combat fake news and recognized the link between disinformation and financial incentives, these efforts haven’t translated into concrete action. The ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) platform serves as the primary forum for discussion, but tangible outcomes remain elusive. This policy brief proposes three key policy options to move beyond rhetoric and achieve meaningful progress.
Firstly, ASEAN needs to establish a substantive, shared understanding of what constitutes fake news and disinformation within the region. This involves identifying common vulnerabilities and potential conflicts in approach. While a unified threat perception, such as the EU’s response to Russian disinformation campaigns, might be challenging given the diverse political landscape of Southeast Asia, focusing on shared concerns like terrorism and health-related hoaxes could provide a starting point. This pragmatic approach acknowledges the difficulty in achieving complete consensus, particularly regarding externally generated disinformation campaigns, given the non-alignment policies of many ASEAN members.
Secondly, elevating disinformation to a non-traditional security threat within ASEAN’s framework is crucial. This would broaden the discourse beyond AMRI, integrating the issue into wider security discussions with ASEAN’s dialogue partners. Defining disinformation as a security threat acknowledges its potential to destabilize societies, as evident in several member states. This approach allows for maintaining state sovereignty in choosing appropriate countermeasures, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all solution is impractical. It encourages information sharing and best practices exchange while respecting the diverse political systems within ASEAN.
Thirdly, establishing an ASEAN-centered fact-checking network is vital, given the region’s reliance on social media for news. This network would operate within established principles of accuracy, transparency, and impartiality, accommodating the varying resource capacities of member states. Drawing inspiration from the International Fact-Checking Network, this regional initiative should prioritize unbiased information, source disclosure, and transparent funding and methodology. This network would provide a crucial tool in combating the spread of false narratives online.
This policy brief recommends a moderate implementation of all three policy options, acknowledging the principles of non-interference central to ASEAN’s functioning. Given the diversity of its member states, rapid, sweeping changes are unlikely. A phased approach, starting with increased dialogue on the dangers of disinformation within ASEAN forums, followed by its elevation to a non-traditional security threat, and finally, the establishment of a fact-checking network, is more realistic. This flexible timeline respects the varied resource constraints and political sensitivities within ASEAN, allowing member states to adapt and implement measures at their own pace.
The escalating disinformation crisis in Southeast Asia demands a concerted, regional response. By embracing a pragmatic, phased approach that respects the diversity of its members, ASEAN can move beyond normative agreements and implement concrete actions to counter this growing threat to regional stability. This requires acknowledging the unique challenges posed by the digital landscape, fostering greater cooperation among member states, and leveraging the collective strength of the region to protect its citizens from the harmful effects of disinformation.
