Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia: Impact on Democracy and Human Rights

Fake news has had a significant impact on electoral democracy and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries that have been experiencing democratic regression. This book provides a regional analysis of the impact of social media and the internet on democracy in the region, including an analysis of countries that do not have national elections. It highlights the extent of internet and social media penetration in each country, the laws that are deployed to reel in its political potential, and the impact on democracy or the prospects for democracy. The contributors note that disinformation is a serious problem in the region that negatively impacts elections and how governments attempts to deal with it inevitably lead to the targeting of dissenting voices and opposition as anti-state fake news. This book is the first to undertake a regional analysis of disinformation in Southeast Asia and is a significant contribution to the literature on democracy, elections, and disinformation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the profound impact of fake news – misinformation, malinformation, and disinformation – on electoral democracy and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia, unfolding amidst a global health pandemic. It serves as a regional analysis, shedding light on the multifaceted ways in which social media and the internet have influenced democratic processes in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, which have faced longstanding challenges to democratic consolidation.

The book meticulously maps the impact of these digital platforms on democracy, particularly in those nations that have experienced a decline in democratic standards. By examining countries that do not hold national elections, the chapters provide a detailed account of the extent of internet and social media penetration in each country, as well as the legal frameworks employed to restrict their political potential for critics. Furthermore, the book showcases the profound impact of disinformation on democracy, emphasizing its ability to undermine trust, erode public confidence, and hinder the democratic process.

Contributors to this book emphasize that disinformation poses a severe problem in the region, exerting a detrimental influence on elections and the responses of governments to address the phenomenon. Their observations highlight the tendency of governments to target dissenting voices and opposition as anti-state fake news, thereby stifling democratic discourse and suppressing critical voices.

The deleterious impact on democracy and freedom of expression, facilitated by a citizenry susceptible to manipulation of facts, emerges as a concerning trend within the regional authoritarian complex. This book stands as a pioneering effort in conducting a regional analysis of disinformation in Southeast Asia, making a substantial contribution to the literature on democracy, elections, and disinformation. It holds particular relevance for researchers specializing in Political Science and Asian Politics, particularly in the field of Southeast Asian Politics.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032379821