The evaluation of the interview data was carried out both deductively and inductively from the interview materials after transcription. Then, the text was condensed to central variables of interpretation patterns using paraphrasing. This resulted in attribution with the connotative context factors (see Table 2) for analysis of the three contexts with their respective data. The comparison produces insights by using an inductive approach which facilitates the detection, interpretation, and understanding of processes and mechanisms which lead to different or similar forms of harmful disinformation as impacts on free media discourses. By analyzing the connotative contexts, I exemplify the most significant inductively inferred factors affecting the media systems, and the three forms of extreme speech in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Media Freedom and Harmful Disinformation in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand The following table comprises exclusively connotative context factors which have been inductively inferred from the qualitative interview data. The table provides an overview of all factors that allow us to understand and explain the formation of the three media environments. The most significant factors to the overall analysis, including an understanding of the formation of media control mechanisms in all three countries, are shown in the left upper part (in black) of the table. The left lower part (in grey) lists connotative context factors which are relevant to understanding the specifics in the media control mechanisms; but these bear different significance for the explanations in every context (this also depends on the focus of the research question). The right column highlights the relevance of the factors for the explanation of the three forms of disinformation and extreme speech in the following analysis. Winter 2019 | 74