Abstract

This presentation aims to provide a mapping of policy responses to electoral disinformation in ASEAN countries. Although ASEAN has already developed guidelines for countering disinformation (ASEAN 2024), these guidelines do not focus specifically on electoral disinformation. We categorise electoral disinformation policy responses along three dimensions. First, we consider the macro level of regulation, specifically a) the form (constitutional vs. ordinary law) and b) site (national/federal vs. sub-national/state) of disinformation regulation. Second, we examine the micro level of regulation, i.e. a) whether there is specific electoral disinformation law; b) what the topic of regulation is (e.g. voting process, policies, candidates, etc.; c) who the target of regulation is (e.g. parties, media, online platforms, etc.); d) whether there is specific legislation targeting social media; and e) whether there is specific legislation targeting AI. Third, we focus on enforcement and consider a) who the regulator/enforcer is and b) what the sanctions/remedies are.  We conclude by highlighting key instances of variability and convergence in electoral disinformation regulation among ASEAN countries, and by pointing to future avenues of research, including comparisons between ASEAN and other regional organisations such as the European Union (EU).

About the Speaker

Matteo Bonotti completed his PhD in Politics at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He is an Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at Monash University, Australia, having previously taught at Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Edinburgh. Matteo’s research interests include democratic theory, free speech and civility, political liberalism, linguistic justice, and food justice. These interests are diverse but unified by a common underlying theme: ethical pluralism and cultural diversity in contemporary societies, and the question of how the state should respond to them. Matteo’s work has appeared in leading journals such as the American Political Science Review, the Journal of Politics, the British Journal of Political Science, and Political Studies. He is the author of Partisanship and Political Liberalism in Diverse Societies (Oxford University Press 2017) and the co-author of Healthy Eating Policy and Political Philosophy: A Public Reason Approach (Oxford University Press 2022) and Money, Parties and Democracy: Political Finance Between Fat Cats and Big Government (Oxford University Press 2025).