Why netizens rebut transnational fake news: examining the role of perceived fake news seriousness, emotional response, and information-seeking motivation

Abstract

In today’s globalized media environment, transnational fake news has become a tool of cognitive warfare, provoking strong public responses. Despite growing attention to disinformation governance, few studies have unpacked the psychological and emotional drivers of netizens’ voluntary rebuttal of transnational fake news. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how the perceived seriousness of fake news affects users’ rebuttal behaviors via emotional media-tors—anger and anxiety. Drawing on the third person effect, this study constructed a moderated mediation model with anger and anxiety as emotional mediators and information seeking motivation as moderator. A survey of 309 Chinese netizens aged 16 to 45 was conducted, and mediation and moderation analyses were applied to test the research hypotheses. Mediation analysis confirmed the significant roles of both emotions, while moderation analysis showed that information seeking motivation strengthens the link between anxiety and rebuttal, but not between anger and rebuttal. The findings emphasize the significance of user-centered approaches in combating transnational disinformation. By clarifying the psychological and emotional mechanisms behind rebuttal behaviors, this study offers insights for designing more effective public communication strategies in the digital age.