In an era where misinformation spreads faster than ever, especially across digital platforms, this challenge becomes more pronounced when misinformation spreads across borders, affecting neighbouring countries and contributing to diplomatic tensions. South Asia is no stranger to the spillover effects of cross-border misinformation.
The region’s intricate geopolitical landscape, characterized by historical grievances, religious sensibilities, and political volatility, makes it particularly vulnerable to the perils of false narratives. The question then arises: How can states work regionally to combat the scourge of misinformation?
In South Asia, misinformation about elections, communal tensions, or cross-border conflicts often impacts the entire region. These cross-border flows of misinformation require a coordinated response, as no single country can effectively address the problem in isolation.
This includes building coalitions with neighbouring countries to share best practices, coordinate fact-checking efforts, and respond to cross-border misinformation campaigns.
A regional alliance in South Asia, comprising independent fact-checking organizations, news agencies, academic institutes, and civil society organizations associated with fact-checking, can serve as the primary defence against cross-border misinformation.
For example, in South Asia, Fact-Watch in Bangladesh, BOOM and FactChecker in India, FactCresendo in Sri Lanka, Soch FactCheck in Pakistan, and Nepal FactCheck in Nepal can coordinate their efforts to verify information, share data, and counter viral misinformation.
By doing this, independent fact-checking organizations in South Asian countries associated with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) have already set an example of an established alliance that worked closely to mitigate the harm of cross-border misinformation.
Nevertheless, what can South Asian member states do on a regional level in response to cross-border misinformation campaigns, aside from the collaborative efforts of independent fact-checking organizations?
Regional organizations of countries in South Asia, such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, and SASEC, can play a crucial role in developing frameworks to address transnational misinformation challenges, policies, and mechanisms to counter transnational misinformation and address regional security challenges in the digital space.
Any formation of regional alliances to facilitate a safe information ecosystem can enable member states to share best practices and resources for combating misinformation while encouraging legal frameworks that facilitate cross-border collaboration and protect the rights and autonomy of fact-checking organizations.
Recently, in October 2024, in a particular session, “Towards a Regional Strategy,” of a crucial network symposium, "Nomadic Narratives: The Cross-Border Spread of Misinformation in South Asia,” it brought together prominent scholars, media professionals, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to discuss the escalating issue of cross-border misinformation and its social, cultural, and political impact across South Asia.
In the presence of more than 12 representatives from member states of South Asia and more than a hundred participants, the symposium focused on forging a united front against cross-border misinformation.
It has been proposed that the South Asia Regional Fact-Checking Alliance (SARFA) will be a collaborative platform bringing together fact-checkers, media organizations, civil society groups, and technology partners from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. Moving forward, the alliance is considering establishing a central secretariat, ideally located in a neutral area within the region and backed by member countries.
Member states can tackle misinformation at its root, preventing it from becoming a tool for destabilization for regional security
Acting as a regional centre dedicated to cross-border misinformation, this secretariat can play a pivotal role by developing specialized mandates focused on misinformation challenges within the region and can ensure accountability, transparency, and effective implementation of programs that address regional dynamics of misinformation.
The establishment of such a centre would promote greater cooperation among South Asian countries, harmonize policies, and foster stronger ties in combating disinformation that crosses national borders.
Member states in South Asia can establish a secure platform to share data, insights, and intelligence on misinformation trends. By pooling resources and expertise, countries can effectively respond to disinformation campaigns by identifying spread patterns originating from one country.
By building cross-border civil society networks, both state actors and non-state actors, civil society organizations, advocacy groups, and independent media outlets can serve as watchdogs, identifying and countering false narratives.
Regionally, states can encourage cross-border collaboration to enhance their capacity to address misinformation, ensuring that these groups have the resources and support needed to operate effectively.
By focusing on digital literacy, regional programs can empower individuals, especially in border areas where misinformation spreads quickly, to differentiate between factual information and false narratives.
Collaborative efforts across South Asia, focusing on education, can help build resilient communities that are less susceptible to disinformation, enhancing regional stability and social cohesion.
Drawing parallels between the European Union’s approach to combating misinformation, South Asia could adopt a similar regional strategy by establishing cross-border fact-checking initiatives as a regional strategy to combat misinformation.
Leaders of member states in South Asia must prioritize media and information literacy as part of the educational curriculum because it is fundamental to social development and economic growth in this region. By integrating media and information literacy into education systems, the region can combat the damaging effects of misinformation, promote informed citizenship, and drive sustainable development.
Tackling cross-border misinformation requires strong regionalism, much like economic integration, as the challenge of misinformation transcends national boundaries.
Consequently, this new regionalism will assist member states in working together with academics, civil society think-tanks, social media, traditional media, fact-checking organizations, and others to make the information ecosystems safe. Facilitating dialogue and forums between all member states and agencies is therefore an important element in tackling these threats.
Member states will necessitate exploring policies and initiatives that respond to immediate threats and support more resilient societies, taking regulatory measures to increase transparency and prevention and reduce economic and structural drivers of transnational misinformation.
To achieve collective growth, South Asian countries must act regionally to counteract the spread of false information, essential in creating a unified response to misinformation. This collective action reinforces regional stability and fosters a shared sense of responsibility in addressing the challenges posed by cross-border misinformation.
By building a united front through regional fact-checking alliances, shared platforms for information exchange, and coordinated educational campaigns and regional programs, member states can tackle misinformation at its root, preventing it from becoming a tool for destabilization for regional security.
Zulker Naeen, Research Coordinator at the Centre for Critical and Qualitative Studies (CQS), has recently been appointed to formalize a regional strategy paper for the South Asia Regional Fact-Checking Alliance (SARFA). This article is the second in a series of exclusive articles on the South Asian Regional Strategy Paper, which focuses on regional collaboration in the fight against misinformation and highlights key aspects of a whole-of-government approach to this critical issue.
