Amid growing concerns over information integrity, disinformation has evolved into a broader and more complex phenomenon now recognized as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), posing significant threats to democratic governance. This article explores how Taiwan has harnessed the strength of its vital civil society to counter disinformation as an illustration of “civic constitutionalism,” in which nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and engaged citizens collaborate to advance shared interests and values through sustained engagement in public policy and political institutions. Taiwan’s example demonstrates that a civil society-driven approach can provide a viable alternative to both platform self-regulation and direct government regulation. The findings reveal that Taiwan’s NGOs and engaged citizens, through fact-checking initiatives, public advocacy, and digital literacy programs, have played a pivotal role in detecting and countering disinformation. These actions have not only compelled governmental responses to foreign information warfare but also acted as a check against excessive state control over online platforms. By fostering constructive collaboration between civil society, governmental bodies, and digital platforms, Taiwan offers a practical model of democratic resilience against the multifaceted challenges of digital threats.
The special issue “CTRL + Power: The Politics of Digital Authoritarianism” of Global Policy is published in open access with the financial support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. The issue is part of the initiative “CTRL + power: the (geo)politics of digital authoritarianism”, an academic collaboration between T.wai, LSE IDEAS and the University of Torino.
