Ho Chi Minh Times

Saturday, Feb 08, 2025

AI-Driven Disinformation in SE Asia: The Urgent Need for Fact-Checking and Media Literacy

A study by Safer Internet Lab, an initiative by CSIS and Google, highlights the need for fact-checking and media literacy in Southeast Asia as disinformation, fueled by advanced technology and artificial intelligence, continues to spread.
The report found that while governments have made efforts to address disinformation, a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

The study provided examples of coordinated disinformation campaigns in Indonesia and neighboring countries.

The text discusses the role of social media in the dissemination of fake news in Southeast Asia, specifically during elections.

Paid political influencers, or "buzzers" in Indonesia, and "trolls" in the Philippines, use platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok to spread disinformation.

The problem has worsened with the use of AI, including deepfakes, which can create computer-generated videos that resemble real people.

The report cites an example of a hyper-realistic Mandarin-speaking video of Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo that went viral in late 2023 before being debunked as an AI edit.

A defense minister in Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, had a manipulated Arabic speech video circulated on social media.

The Communications and Information Ministry reported an increase in disinformation, with 714 hoaxes identified between 2018 and 2019.

However, the number decreased during the recent elections, with only 204 hoaxes found.

The ministry noted that the forms of disinformation have become more diverse and difficult to identify, with the use of AI becoming more common.

Singapore faced a similar issue last year when a deep-faked video of its Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong promoting a cryptocurrency scheme went viral.

The study emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach to combat disinformation in Southeast Asia, recommending policies such as media literacy promotion and legal measures for governments.

Digital platforms are encouraged to enhance fact-checking abilities and collaborate with external parties.

While fact-checking organizations have emerged in some countries, the study stresses the importance of making fact-checking sustainable as technology advances.

The effectiveness of fact-checking and the accountability of fact-checkers are important questions that need addressing, especially in the context of increasing disinformation in Southeast Asian countries.

The report highlights the urgency of media literacy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where education and literacy levels are lower.

Disinformation knows no borders, and collaborative efforts between Southeast Asian countries are necessary to combat it.

Malaysia is one example of a country taking action, with the help of their communications commission, to strengthen fact-checking, digital literacy programs, and content supervision.

In 2023, the Philippine government will include media and information literacy as a required subject in the primary and secondary school curriculum.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Ho Chi Minh Times
0:00
0:00
Close
'BACK TO PLASTIC!': Trump to End Bans on Plastic Straws
TikTok Sued Over Alleged Child Deaths Caused by 'Blackout Challenge'
Thailand Tops ASEAN in Dairy Exports with US$582M, Showing 11.5% Growth in 2024.
US Postal Service Halts Inbound Packages from China Due to New Tariffs
China's humanoid robots poised to transform everyday life and spiritual functions.
How China's Innovations in Humanoid Robots Drive Intense Competition with the US
Blackpink's Jisoo Reveals Fan Meeting in Hong Kong During Asia Tour
China Retaliates with Tariffs and Investigations Following New U.S. Duties
China Launches Anti-Monopoly Probe Into Google, Adds U.S. Firms to Unreliable Entity List
Nearly 96% of New Cars Registered in Norway in January Were Electric
Apple Abandons AR Glasses Project Amid Struggles with Technology and Market Demand
Apple Surpasses Revenue and Earnings Expectations, But iPhone Sales Disappoint
Bill Gates Reflects on Past Mistakes and Acknowledges Yuval Noah Harari's Insight
TikTok Shapes the Future of Mobile Gaming with Viral Trends
Sam Altman Amasses $1.2 Billion Fortune Through Strategic Investments
India Removes Import Duties on Smartphone Components Amid Trade Tensions
Thailand Boosts Startup Ecosystem with AI, FinTech, and Green Tech Initiatives
BOI Secures $3.8 Billion TikTok Data Center Investment Amid Digital Economy Growth
Thailand Proposes Cryptocurrency Sandbox in Phuket to Boost Tourism
New Zealand Grants Legal Personhood to Mount Taranaki
Global Semiconductor Industry Faces Persistent Challenges Amid Efforts to Boost Production
The 'Chinese Pearl Harbor' on U.S. Tech: DeepSeek's Launch Triggers Market Collapse
Taiwan Faces Uncertainty Amid Shifts in U.S. Policy and Chinese Pressure
Sichuan University Rises to 11th in Global Scientific Research Rankings
Key Takeaways from the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos
The Trump Era 2: A Time of Dramatic and Profound Change
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Suggests Bitcoin Could Reach $700,000 with Increased Institutional Investment
Leaked Documents Reveal Google's Collaboration with Israeli Defense Forces During Gaza Conflict
Trump to Announce $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Investment
Five Billionaires on Track to Break One Trillion Dollar Wealth Barrier
ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 Opens in Johor
Laos’ Monsoon Wind Power Project to Begin Power Exports to Vietnam in 2025
Vietnam Launches Wildlife Conservation Programme
HCMC Airport to Handle Record Passenger Numbers During Tet
Vietnam Urged to Address Plastic Waste Crisis with Sustainable Solutions
Ho Chi Minh City Battles Severe Traffic Congestion
Dutch Enterprise Drives Growth in Vietnamese Agriculture
TikTok Faces U.S. Ban as Users Migrate to Alternatives
Ceasefire Agreement Brings Hope to Gaza Amid Hostage Releases
Malaysia Launches ASEAN Chairmanship with Key Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
High-Profile Creators Migrate to Triller Amid TikTok Challenges
Da Nang Partners with Vietnam Blockchain Association for IFC Development
Vietnam Sets 2030 Target for Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant Completion
Massive Wartime Bomb Safely Defused in Vietnam’s Binh Phuoc Province
Vietnam Envisions International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s Top State-Run Banks Achieve Record Profits in 2024
Three Laotian Nationals Sentenced to Death for Drug Trafficking in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City to Host Fireworks at 15 Venues for 2025 Lunar New Year
Learner Tien Stuns Daniil Medvedev to Reach Third Round of 2025 Australian Open
Vietnam Introduces Visa-Free Entry for Polish, Czech, and Swiss Tourists in 2025
×