Abstract
The relevance of the study is determined by the growing role of investigative journalism in Kazakhstan under conditions of digital media transformation. The study addresses issues of information verification and the use of fact-checking tools, including open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods, in investigative journalism. The development of platform-based media, digitalization, and the emergence of hybrid media structures, including independent YouTube channels and closed Telegram communities, lead to the weakening of traditional editorial content selection mechanisms (gatekeeping). The aim of the study is to analyze the mechanisms of information verification and the features of using fact-checking tools in contemporary investigative journalism in Kazakhstan. The methodology is based on a mixed-methods approach, including a content analysis of 150 investigative publications released between 2024 and April 2026 on the media platforms Protenge, Masa.media, and Airan, as well as eight semi-structured in-depth interviews with Kazakhstani media professionals and experts in media law. The results show that the migration of investigative journalism to uncontrolled digital platforms is accompanied by a decline in information credibility: in the segment of autonomous Telegram channels, up to 64 % of materials rely on unverified digital leaks as a primary source, whereas specialized OSINT platforms demonstrate the opposite pattern – up to 86 % of confirmed open data. The scientific significance lies in clarifying the functioning of fact-checking mechanisms in media environments of transitional economies. The practical significance consists in the development of a hierarchical system of contextual fact verification adapted to the conditions of Central Asia. The findings expand theoretical understanding of the transformation of journalistic practices in the digital era and may be used in developing professional standards for investigative journalism as well as educational programs in media literacy.