Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Elections in Asia are increasingly witnessing a rise in information manipulation to influence voter views and behavior. Behavioral manipulation takes place as electoral candidates, political parties and interest groups take to social media to spread fake news with the aim of discrediting their opponents and gaining support for their electoral candidates and/or political parties. In this book, the authors will assess the impact of fake news on electoral outcomes in Southeast Asia from the years 2018-2020. The aim is to provide an understanding of the evolving issues related to fake news and elections and to review its implications for democracy in Asia.