The ASEAN Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media provides a framework for developing governments’ responses to the harmful effects of fake news and misinformation in the media and on social media platforms. The Guideline seeks to establish standards and good practices for government information officers, promote accuracy and reliability, improve transparency and accountability in government communications, and enhance coordination and collaboration between government agencies, especially during times of crisis or emergency. The aim is to ensure that government communications are transparent, timely, and accountable.

Key results include an agreed-upon definition of fake news and disinformation in the region, a guide to detecting fake news and disinformation, strategies for responding to and combating fake news and disinformation, guidance on creating strong, reliable, and credible counter-messages, a framework for measuring the effectiveness of creative campaigns, and guidelines for managing official government information in data management.

The impact of this initiative is a more informed and resilient ASEAN community, better equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital information landscape. By promoting ethical journalism, enhancing public awareness, and fostering regional collaboration, the guideline strengthens social cohesion, political stability, and trust in media, contributing to a harmonious and democratic ASEAN region.

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• Asia and Pacific

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Migrants
• Refugees and internally displaced people
• Remote and rural communities

The ASEAN Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media provides a structured framework that can be replicated and adapted in various regional, national, and local contexts where misinformation and disinformation pose challenges to public trust, social cohesion, and political stability.

The ASEAN Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media is sustainable through its institutional integration, capacity-building mechanisms, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and adaptability to evolving digital threats. By establishing standardized government communication practices, it ensures long-term transparency, accountability, and resilience in managing misinformation. The guideline promotes continuous training and knowledge-sharing among government information officers, media, and civil society, fostering a culture of responsible information management. Its emphasis on cross-sector and regional cooperation strengthens policy alignment and resource-sharing, reducing duplication of efforts. Additionally, the framework is designed to evolve with technological advancements, enabling ASEAN governments to adapt to emerging misinformation tactics while reinforcing public trust and social cohesion.

In advocating for the ASEAN Guideline on Managing Government Information to Combat Fake News and Disinformation, Indonesia recognized that not all ASEAN member states had established comprehensive frameworks to address the growing challenges of misinformation. With the rapid spread of fake news threatening social cohesion, political stability, and public trust, Indonesia emphasized the need for a unified regional approach. Trust in government communications is essential for resilience and the well-being of ASEAN citizens, and member states without existing policies would benefit from a regional guideline to develop robust, standardized strategies. Aligned with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) principles, particularly solidarity, Indonesia collaborated with ASEAN to launch the region's first collective effort to counter fake news through effective government information management. The Guideline reflects WSIS’s principle of shared responsibility, offering actionable recommendations to stakeholders such as government officers, policymakers, media, and civil society. It stresses transparency, accountability, and timely communication, especially during crises. The Guideline also emphasizes collaboration between governments, technology platforms, and citizens to create a shared responsibility framework. This clarifies roles and safeguards at each stage of information management, from detection to creating credible counter-messages. By promoting regional cooperation and ethical communication practices, the Guideline builds trust in government institutions and contributes to a more informed, resilient, and harmonious ASEAN community.