Independent Media, Fact-checking, and Political Engagement in an Autocracy: Evidence from Kazakhstan

This research aims to explore how independent media that counters state-distributed disinformation affects political attitudes, beliefs, and civic engagement in an autocratic state. In partnership with an independent media organization in Kazakhstan, I plan to conduct a field experiment at the individual level, randomly assigning access to non-mainstream political information while highlighting state manipulations through a fact-checking service. The goal is to observe changes in beliefs about the country’s democratic status, support for the autocratic regime and protesters, and levels of civic engagement. The pilot study finds that providing independent and truthful information leads individuals to update their beliefs about the low levels of democracy in the country and increases their support for protesters. However, it also tends to reduce political engagement both online and offline. This disengagement effect is most pronounced among respondents who are satisfied with the status quo. Interestingly, individuals who favor honest elections and political change do not change their political activity, despite updating their beliefs on democracy and expressing increased support for the protesters.