Democracy in the Digital Age: Investigating Fake News, Political Polarization, and Media’s Role in Taiwan and South Africa

The global proliferation of “fake news” has become a critical concern in media and political discourse, extending beyond the United States and Europe to regions like Africa and Asia. This study conducts an exploratory comparative analysis of Taiwan and South Africa, utilizing data from the Taiwan Institute for Governance and Communication Research (TIGCR) and Afrobarometer, to examine the impact of misinformation and disinformation on democratic processes in these emerging democracies. Our findings reveal that perceived exposure to disinformation is significantly high in both Taiwan and South Africa, and this exposure negatively impacts the two democratic societies. Specifically, we observe correlations between various factors related to disinformation exposure and how people perceive fake news as worsening polarization and affecting the role of media in democracy. The analysis focuses on three key aspects: the relationship between awareness of false information and reliance on various media platforms, the impact of misinformation dissemination on societal polarization, and the role of media in promoting democratic processes. This research provides critical insights into how misinformation affects democracies in Asia and Africa, with broader implications for global democratic health. The study also offers recommendations for future research directions to further understand and address the challenges posed by misinformation in diverse democratic contexts.