There is an optimistic belief that the rapid advancement of digital technologies can foster a more inclusive societal landscape. However, the reality diverges from our optimistic expectations. Digital technology also serves as a catalyst for undemocratic tendencies. This is particularly evident as political actors leverage digital technologies as primary tools to achieve their goals, often disregarding democratic values. Various social media platforms, for instance, are utilized not solely for promoting certain political ideologies but also for disseminating misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, not all users of these digital platforms possess adequate digital literacy. Consequently, fake news and hate speech proliferate across mainstream platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. This proliferation has led to societal polarization and even conflict among opposing factions.

In the realm of political competition, entrenched powers utilize digital technologies to suppress criticism and ward off cyber-attacks from their adversaries. Moreover, their influence grants them control over critical access points to internet networks, websites, and various platforms. They not only impose restrictions but also possess the capability to sever connections that should be accessible to the public. Consequently, in practice, the use of digital technologies can give rise to digital authoritarianism. This form of authoritarianism often finds its roots in foreign influence.

Panel 1 – E-Government, Digital Consumption, Digital Electoral Marketing

Nazreena Yasin, The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Malaysia

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Look at e-Democracy Features in Malaysian Government Websites

Muchlas Abdi Pratama, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The Millennial Generation’s Meaning of Government Social Media Content in Meeting Public Information Needs

Anne Parlina and Riri Kusumarani, The Data and Information Science Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Digital Consumption Patterns: A Case Study of Dirty Vote Movie

Faizatul Hiqmah and Tanti Handriana, Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University and Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia

From Posts to Polls: Assessing Social Media’s Power in Electoral Marketing

Panel 2 – Artificial Intelligence, Digital Authoritarianism, Power Asymmetry, Digital Divide

Devi T. Indriasari and Karman, The Center for Public Policy Research and the Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Silencing Critical Digital Voices: A Hermeneutical Exploration of Electronic Information and Transactions Law in Indonesia

Muhammad Ahalla Tsauro, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore

Digital Divide in Southeast Asia in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Dewi Wahyu Mustikasari, The State Islamic University (UIN) Salatiga, Indonesia

Teachers’ Design-Decision making as the Exercise of Power in Digital Adoption within the Classrooms

Virdika Rizky Utama, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China and PARA-Syndicate Indonesia, Indonesia

The Influence of China’s Digital Giants on the Indo-Pacific: A Case Study of Huawei and Xiaomi

Panel 3 – International and Transnational Issues, Foreign Influence, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific

M. Luthfi Khair and Greg Poulgrain, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia and the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia

Islamophobia in the Digital Age: Examining the Economic and Diplomatic Repercussions of Recent UK Incidents on the Indo-Pacific

Win Listyaningrum Arifin and Wuri Arenggoasih, The State Islamic University (UIN) Salatiga, Indonesia

Digital Complexity for Islamic Broadcasting Students at UIN Salatiga for Identity Preservation; A Challenge or An Opportunity?

Tanisha, Deakin University, Australia

Digital Disinformation and Its Impact on Political Polarization in Southeast Asia

Viktor Buzna and Tonny Dian Effendi, The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA), Hungary, The National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Indonesia

Techno-Regionalism: ASEAN’s Digital Integration as a Strategic Model in the Indo-Pacific

Panel 4 – Sentiments, Perceptions, Opinions, Trust, Disinformation

Aprilian Ria Adisti, Muhamad Rozikan, and Silfa Dzukhriyah, Semarang State University and The State Islamic University (UIN) Salatiga, Indonesia

Tracking the Sentiment Traffic of Young Indonesian Netizens’ Chats on the Issues of Peace, Justice and Humanitarian Crisis: A Netnography Study of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

M. Luthfi Khair, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

‘The Online Jihad,’ Analysis of the Potential for the Spread of Disinformation among Indonesian and Malaysian Netizens on Social Media in the Palestine Conflict

Bhirawa Aronaga, The Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII), Indonesia

On Repeat: Frequent Misinformation and Frauds in Donation-Based Crowdfunding in Contemporary Indonesia

Primasari, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Harnessing Digital Technology for Disinformation Mitigation: Insights from Indonesia

Panel 5 – Disinformation, Digital Disparity, Gender, Health, and Resilience

Endah Triastuti and Whisnu Triwibowo, The University of Indonesia (UI), Jakarta, Indonesia

Digital Disparities and Disinformation: Unveiling the Digital Complexities in ASEAN’s Underprivileged Communities

Tri Kurnia Revul Andina, Yogyakarta State University (UNY), Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Gendered Disinformation on Social Media: Cyber-misogyny and ‘SJW Feminis’ in Indonesia

Ihsan Kamaludin, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Mitigating Health Disinformation in the Digital Era: The Role of Religious Institutions in Trust Building and Traditional Health Knowledge Preservation

Nina Widyawati, Widjajanti M. Santoso, Ubaidillah, Purwadi, and Ana Windarsih, The Research Center for Society and Culture in the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Community Resilience to Hoaxes and Disinformation

Panel 6 – Countering Cyberspace Disinformation, Digital Literacy, Strengthening Democracy

Hastangka, Adison A Sihombing, Herlinawati, Etty Sisdiana and Benny Widaryanto, The Research Center for Education, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Civic Literacy in Indonesian Schools: Issues and Challenges in Democracy Strengthening

Asfa Widiyanto, The State Islamic University (UIN) Salatiga, Indonesia

Religious Moderation, Political Literacy and Democratic Maturity in Contemporary Indonesia

Fuadil ‘Ulum and Salma Syakira Widodo, The Center for Political Studies, University of Indonesia (UI) Jakarta and Columbia University, America.

Does Digital Literacy Affect Voting Behaviour?

Syafuan Rozi and Otto Trengginas Setiawan, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia

Disinformation, Digital Democracy Space, and Counter Strategy in Indonesia

We aspire to publish this significant contribution to the scholarly discourse with a prestigious university press, such as Edinburgh University Press.