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Explainer | Explained: fake news in Asia
- Several Asian countries rely heavily on social media for information, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of fake news
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The term “fake news” became widespread after the 2016 US elections but it resonates widely in Asia.
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In several instances, social media rumours and hoaxes have contributed to the spread of ethnic tensions, violence and political confrontation.
Some regional governments have started enacting “fake news laws” to tackle the problem but critics worry such legislation will be used to stifle freedom of speech.
What is fake news and how does it affect Asia?
According to PolitiFact, fake news is “made-up stuff, masterfully manipulated to look like credible journalistic reports that are easily spread online to large audiences”.
Although disinformation has always existed, a range of new tools such as social media and messaging apps have made it easier to spread falsehoods.
The phenomenon has had severe consequences across the globe, from shifting voters’ stances to causing violence among ethnic groups.
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Asia, where social media has already become the main source of news, is vulnerable to the spread of fake news as several episodes have proven.
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