Fact-checking in China: normative and strategic transparency of Chinese journalists in fact-checking reports

This study investigates how fact-checking journalism in China presents the principle of transparency. Fact-checking is considered one of the effective strategies for combating fake news, and maintaining transparency in the news production process to build public trust. Facing declining advertising revenue due to the rise of social media and stricter censorship from the Chinese government, Chinese commercial news outlets must both adopt a more pro-government stance to ensure their survival and enhance their credibility to compete with social media for audience attention. Based on semi-structured interviews with five fact-checkers working at fact-checking organisations within Chinese commercial media, the study finds that, Chinese fact-checkers employ proactive, normative transparency to demonstrate professionalism while integrating passive, strategic transparency to adapt to their political circumstances. This study contributes to the global debate on transparency in fact-checking journalism, particularly within the restricted political context of non-Western countries, thereby enriching the global fact-checking network. Additionally, it provides insights into the digital transformation practices within China’s journalistic ecosystem.