Meet CT Lee: Battling Disinformation at the Frontlines of Asia’s Fact-Checking Efforts

In an era where disinformation spreads at lightning speed across digital platforms, Radio Free Asia’s Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) stands as a bulwark against falsehoods that can shape public opinion and influence political landscapes across the region. At the forefront of this effort is CT Lee, whose work exemplifies the painstaking process of verifying information in one of the world’s most complex media environments.

Lee, who appears in a new “We are RFA” video series highlighting the organization’s journalists, has become an integral part of Radio Free Asia’s mission to provide accurate information to audiences across Asia, particularly in regions where press freedom faces significant constraints.

“The proliferation of false information presents a critical challenge to democratic discourse throughout Asia,” Lee explains in the video profile. “Our job is to meticulously examine claims, trace information to original sources, and provide the public with verified facts they can trust.”

The Asia Fact Check Lab, established in response to growing concerns about state-sponsored disinformation campaigns and viral misinformation, employs rigorous methodology to evaluate the accuracy of news stories, social media claims, and official statements. The team regularly publishes detailed analyses that not only debunk falsehoods but also explain the context and implications of misleading information.

Lee’s work has become increasingly vital as authoritarian governments across the region have deployed sophisticated information manipulation tactics. China’s expansive influence operations, alongside similar efforts by military regimes in Myanmar and other restrictive states, have created complex webs of false narratives designed to control public opinion.

“What makes fact-checking in this region uniquely challenging is the deliberate opacity of governments,” Lee notes. “When official sources themselves are often the origin of misinformation, our investigation process becomes significantly more complex.”

Radio Free Asia, which broadcasts in nine languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Vietnamese, reaches audiences in countries where independent media faces severe restrictions. The AFCL supplements this coverage by providing evidence-based analysis that helps audiences distinguish between factual reporting and propaganda.

The lab’s work has addressed various high-profile cases of misinformation, from false claims about political developments to misleading economic data and fabricated social issues. Recent fact-checking efforts have focused on disinformation surrounding transnational crime networks in Cambodia, military operations in Myanmar, and human rights issues across the region.

Media experts emphasize that the work of organizations like the AFCL is essential in countries where state control of information is pervasive. “When governments control the narrative through restricted press freedom, independent fact-checking becomes not just valuable but necessary for informational sovereignty,” said a regional media analyst who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of their work.

The “We are RFA” video series also features profiles of other journalists from the organization, including Aye Aye Mon and Khet Mar, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and expertise of RFA’s reporting staff. These journalists often work under challenging conditions to bring reliable information to their audiences.

As digital platforms continue to transform how information spreads across borders, the role of fact-checkers like Lee and organizations like AFCL becomes increasingly crucial. Their work represents not just a technical process of verification but a fundamental defense of truth in public discourse across Asia.

“At the end of the day,” Lee concludes in the profile, “our goal is simple but vital: to ensure that citizens throughout Asia have access to accurate information so they can make informed decisions about issues affecting their lives and communities.”

The complete “We are RFA” video series is available on Radio Free Asia’s website, providing audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the journalists committed to delivering factual reporting in one of the world’s most challenging media environments.