To Disclose or Not to Disclose: How AI Use Transparency Increases Trust in Fact-Checking
Abstract
This study examines how transparency about AI-assisted fact-checking shapes audience trust and misbelief correction. An experiment (N = 393) manipulating AI use disclosure levels (no disclosure, simple disclosure, detailed disclosure, third-party disclosure) found that disclosing AI use does not reduce message, author, or source credibility. Detailed disclosure that clarifies procedures and human oversight enhances author and source credibility through increased perceived transparency. By contrast, third-party revelation of undisclosed AI use substantially undermines credibility and weakens misbelief correction. These findings indicate that disclosure timing and detail, rather than AI use per se, are central to maintaining trust in journalistic fact-checking.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
Misinformation and Its Impacts
Deception detection and forensic psychology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1–17
- Publication date
- 20 April 2026
- Language
- EN