Our Verification Process

1. Claim Identification

Our team constantly scans the information ecosystem — from social media to traditional media platforms — for viral, controversial, or potentially harmful claims. We also welcome suugestions from the public and partners. A claim is selected for verification based on:

  • Its relevance and potential impact on public discourse or safety
  • Its origin from a public figure, influencer, organisation, or viral source
  • Whether it’s verifiable using reliable, available evidence
  • Its ability to influence opinions, actions, or policy

We do not verify personal opinions or speculative forecasts. However, where confusion arises, we may publish explanatory articles to provide clarity.

2. Research & Investigation

Once a claim is selected, it is assigned to a trained researcher or fact-checker. Our investigation process includes:

  • Contacting the individual or organisation behind the claim (where applicable)
  • Sourcing information from original, authoritative, and independent sources
  • Using advanced tools such as reverse image/video search, metadata analysis, digital forensics, and social listening
  • Verifying consistency across multiple credible sources

We ask key questions like:

  • Is this the earliest known source of the claim?
  • What is the motive or context behind the original source?
  • Is this data representative and recent?
  • Does the evidence stand up to scrutiny?

3. Our Rating System

Over time, we have changed our ratings to better reflect the realities of fact-checking. Currently, most of our fact-checks will be tagged:

✅ True
The claim is factually accurate and confirmed by credible sources. No significant evidence contradicts it, and the context is not misleading.

❌ False
The claim is factually incorrect. Reliable evidence disproves it, and no credible sources support the statement or event being claimed.

⚠️ Misleading
The claim uses facts selectively, omits context, or frames information in a way that creates a false or exaggerated impression of the issue.

❓ Unproven
The claim lacks sufficient verifiable evidence at the time of assessment. It may be plausible but cannot be confirmed or debunked with current facts.

🟡 Partly True

The claim includes some accurate information, but it is either incomplete, exaggerated, or lacks critical context that changes the overall meaning.

🔴 Partly False

While the claim may contain elements of truth, significant details are incorrect, misrepresented, or taken out of context, leading to a misleading impression.

Lack of Evidence

There is currently no sufficient or verifiable evidence to support the claim. It remains unproven or speculative based on the available data.

4. Reporting

Our reports aim for clarity, transparency, and context. Each published verification explains:

  • What was claimed
  • Who made the claim, when, and where
  • The findings from our research
  • Why the claim is true, false, misleading, or lacks evidence, unproven, partly true or partly false.
  • Supporting documents, quotes, links, and data
  • Impact analysis: how far the claim has spread and why it matters

Our reports avoid technical jargon and are written in a tone accessible to everyday readers across Africa and beyond.

5. Editorial Review

Before publishing, each fact-check is reviewed by two editors to ensure:

  • Logical flow and accuracy
  • Balance and fairness
  • Compliance with our verification standards

If necessary, we consult external experts for complex issues, particularly in health, science, or law.

6. Publishing, Corrections & Feedback

We publish fact-checks across our website, social media channels, and partner platforms. If an error is found, we promptly update the article and transparently note the correction, including the date and nature of the change.

We also welcome community feedback and tip-offs. 

At News Verifier Africa, we are committed to getting the facts right. If you spot an error or believe a claim was rated inaccurately, please read our Correction Policy to learn how we address and update our content.

You can reach us via Email or WhatsApp.

Submit a claim here.