Show Me the Facts: Newsroom-Affiliated and Independent Fact-Checkers’ Transparency Acts

Abstract

In response to skepticism and criticisms of bias, fact-checkers attempt to be transparent in their work, a practice adopted from their journalistic roots. This study identifies the acts of disclosure and participatory transparency practiced by fact-checkers in Asia and compares the differences between newsroom-affiliated and non-newsroom fact-checkers. Through a content analysis of 80 fact-checking websites in Asia, this study identifies the acts of disclosure and participatory transparency practiced by fact-checkers in Asia. This study also finds that newsroom fact-checkers engage in fewer acts of disclosure transparency than non-newsroom fact-checkers. Specifically, non-newsroom fact-checkers are more likely to explain their editorial process, disclose their correction policy, disclose their funding sources, and disclose the names and biography of their editorial team. While newsroom and non-newsroom fact-checkers did not differ in the number of acts of participatory transparency, non-newsroom fact-checkers were more likely to allow users to submit claims. These indicate that akin to journalism, fact-checking as an institution displays some differences in their acceptance of disclosure and participatory transparency as a norm.