Disinformation’s Grip on Southeast Asian Democracies: The Cases of Indonesia and the Philippines
The rise of disinformation campaigns in Southeast Asia has become a global concern, particularly in the region’s two largest democracies, Indonesia and the Philippines. Both nations have recently elected leaders whose ascendance was partly fueled by sophisticated social media disinformation campaigns that exploited public discontent. This manipulation of information poses a significant threat to domestic politics and national security. With declining trust in traditional media, social media platforms have become breeding grounds for misinformation and societal polarization. Compounding this issue are restrictions on press freedom, creating a complex challenge in combating disinformation’s impact. The struggle to regulate social media effectively, while avoiding government censorship, further complicates the situation. This article examines how disinformation has influenced elections in Indonesia and the Philippines and explores the ongoing struggle to balance information control with the protection of press freedom.
Both Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Philippines and Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia leveraged social media to reshape their public image and win elections. Marcos Jr.’s campaign successfully employed disinformation tactics across platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to rewrite his family’s controversial history and secure a landslide victory. Similarly, Prabowo utilized TikTok to transform his image from a hardline figure to a more approachable persona, minimizing his past association with alleged human rights abuses. These cases highlight the power of social media to manipulate public perception and influence electoral outcomes. The exploitation of these platforms underscores a concerning trend in the region towards utilizing disinformation for political gain, raising questions about the integrity of democratic processes.
Beyond influencing domestic politics, social media is also a tool for advancing foreign agendas. In the Philippines, the spread of Chinese-sponsored disinformation campaigns on social media, particularly in response to maritime disputes in the South China Sea, has sown discord within Philippine society. This illustrates how external actors can exploit social media to interfere in domestic affairs and exacerbate existing tensions. The ability of foreign powers to manipulate narratives and spread propaganda online poses a significant challenge to national security and social cohesion. The ease with which social media can be weaponized for geopolitical purposes emphasizes the need for robust strategies to counter these threats.
Efforts to regulate social media content have been met with challenges. Meta, under pressure from regional governments, removed thousands of accounts linked to a Chinese disinformation operation in 2023. The Philippines has banned TikTok for military personnel due to concerns about foreign disinformation. Indonesia temporarily banned TikTok in 2018 and later allowed its e-commerce arm to operate after it acquired a local platform. However, concerns remain about heavy-handed regulation mirroring the suppression of dissent seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries like Cambodia and Thailand. Finding a balance between combating disinformation and protecting freedom of expression remains a critical challenge.
Both Indonesia and the Philippines grapple with declining press freedom, further complicating efforts to combat disinformation. The Philippines is among the most dangerous countries for journalists, with a high rate of impunity for crimes against them. Indonesia has seen a surge in attacks against journalists, many perpetrated by state actors. These attacks, often dismissed without proper investigation, create a chilling effect on investigative journalism and critical reporting. The erosion of press freedom weakens the ability of independent media to hold power accountable and disseminate accurate information, making societies more vulnerable to disinformation.
The historical context of press freedom in both countries further complicates the issue. Former Philippine President Duterte’s administration was marked by attacks on media critical of his policies, including the shutdown of a major broadcast network. While the current Marcos administration has made gestures towards human rights protection, it remains to be seen if these will translate into meaningful change. Indonesia’s legal framework, while ostensibly aimed at combating fake news, has been criticized for potentially stifling free speech and has been used to silence journalists reporting on sensitive issues like corruption and the military’s actions in West Papua. The lack of strong protections for journalists and the potential for misuse of regulations create a precarious environment for independent media.
Despite the potential for reform, the incentives for meaningful change are limited in both Indonesia and the Philippines. The very leaders who benefited from disinformation campaigns are now in power, raising doubts about their willingness to implement robust regulations. While the Marcos administration has initiated some efforts to address the issue, concrete results are yet to be seen. Prabowo, with his concerning human rights record, has not made any comparable commitments. The current political landscape presents a significant obstacle to enacting effective measures against disinformation, highlighting the complex interplay between political power, media manipulation, and democratic values in Southeast Asia. The challenge lies in finding a path towards fostering a more informed and resilient public sphere while upholding fundamental freedoms of expression and the press.
