Fake news spikes in Indonesia, weeks ahead of elections

Dozens of posts containing disinformation spread, with fears people may not trust results of a legitimate election

The spread of fake news and disinformation has spiked in Indonesia in recent months, weeks before millions are scheduled to vote in the country's elections.

Data released in a new report from Mafindo, an organisation focused on combating fake news and improving digital literacy, shows that political fake news and disinformation shot up by 61% between December 2018 and January this year.