Fake news -- either in the form of misinformation or disinformation -- has contributed to social and political conflicts, and according to a recent report on by researchers under USAID, it has shaped public opinion in some Asian countries. While critics call on tech companies and governments to solve the problem, increasing digital literacy among the public is the best solution to fake news.
The report, entitled "How Information Disorder Affirms Authoritarianism and Destabilizes Democracy", has shed light on how certain actors are spreading misinformation online. If Thai netizens do not start paying attention to the kinds of information they consume, the political divide between liberals and conservatives in the kingdom will continue to grow for years to come.
The Dec 16 report highlights cases of misinformation found on websites in Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Thailand. Even though the researchers have pointed fingers at foreign actors from China and Russia, they have also admitted that some misinformation efforts across the region come from local actors.
