Taiwan faces a flood of disinformation from China ahead of crucial election. Here’s how it’s fighting back
In anticipation of Taiwan’s key presidential election on Saturday, Taiwanese authorities are taking a range of steps to combat disinformation campaigns by China.
In recent months, China has ramped up its disinformation efforts in Taiwan, reportedly creating fake social media accounts to spread false claims and attacking the electoral process. In response, Taiwan’s government has sought to bolster its defenses against such campaigns.
Firstly, Taiwan has increased the number of fact-checkers employed by the government. The Ministry of the Interior has released multiple statement identifying false claims, and setting up an online platform to monitor and report any suspicious content. This is part of a general effort by the Taiwanese government to create a “citizen-driven digital literacy”.
Taiwan has also set up a network of government representatives, media watchdogs, and academics to monitor and analyze the flow of information. With the help of this network, Taiwan can quickly respond to any suspicious activities.
To prevent fake news from coming into Taiwan from abroad, the country has put in place tighter restrictions on the import of foreign news, and prohibited content that “could have a negative influence on the election” from being broadcast.
Finally, the government has launched an awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of fake news and disinformation. This includes television spots, radio announcements, and pamphlets about how to identify false information.
Disinformation campaigns have become a reality in the modern age, and the Taiwanese government is taking steps to ensure that its upcoming election is secure and free from foreign interference.