2024 Unwrapped: Highlights & What’s Next Behind The Facts podcast

21:07

What do you do as you’re a fact-checker when the data you need simply isn’t there? In this episode of Behind the Facts, we speak to Elias in Ethiopia and Remaz in Sudan about the daily realities of working in places where public information is restricted , unreliable—or completely cut off. From Sudan’s war-fuelled information vacuum to Ethiopia’s shrinking civic space, they reveal how the absence of trusted data makes fact-checking nearly impossible —and allows misinformation to thrive. 🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation about censorship , conflict and what it means to fight for the truth when the facts are hidden. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Africa Check, Behind the Facts, its staff or affiliated groups. Resources Sign up for our podcast alert to find out when the latest episode is released. Join the Africa Check Whatsapp line or channels in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal to help us fight misinformation. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Fact-Checking Beyond the Internet: Offline Tactics That Work 25:41

9 weeks ago25:41

25:41

While the fight against misinformation often focuses on digital platforms, the power of face-to-face interactions, community engagement, and traditional media is often overlooked. In this episode of Behind the Facts, we explore how offline strategies—such as radio, in-person training, and town hall discussions—help bridge the gap for those without internet access. Our guests, Catherine Adeniyi from Africa Check’s Lagos office and Cris Chinaka from ZimFact in Zimbabwe, share their experiences tackling misinformation where it spreads most: in everyday conversations. Sign up to our podcast alert to find out when the latest episode is released. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Africa Check, Behind the Facts, its employees, or affiliated groups. Resources 🔹 Africa Check’s guide to identifying misinformation 🔹 ZimFact’s fact-checking work Join the Africa Check Whatsapp line or channels in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal to help us fight misinformation. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Fact-checking vs. the Algorithm: Can we win? 20:35

13 weeks ago20:35

20:35

Fact-checking partnerships with social media platforms aim to stop misinformation at its source - by flagging false content, reducing its reach, and providing users with verified information. But how effective are they? In this episode, we examine the impact of these collaborations in Africa, and the challenges fact-checkers face. Are these partnerships making a difference, or is more needed to tackle misinformation at scale? And what would this be? Tune in as we explore the successes, limitations, and the future of fact-checking in the digital space. Sign up to our alert to find out when the latest episode is released. Featured guests Saja Mortada, manager at the Arab Fact-Checkers Network Resources An open letter to Mark Zuckerberg from the world’s fact-checkers, nine years later. The letter follows Meta’s move to end the fact-checking programme in the US. Join the Africa Check Whatsapp line or channels in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal to help us fight misinformation. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Africa Check, Behind the Facts, its employees, or affiliated groups.…

Behind the Facts

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2024 Unwrapped: Highlights & What’s Next 20:34

25 weeks ago20:34

20:34

As 2024 draws to a close, we take you on a journey through the year’s highlights . From celebrating International Fact-Checking Day to unpacking the critical role of fact-checking during major elections , we reflect on the moments that defined the fight against misinformation. Gain behind-the-scenes insights into the South African election coalition and hear how fact-checkers collaborated ahead of the Namibia and Ghana elections . We also tackle essential online security tips to protect yourself from cyber threats and explore the dual-edged potential of AI in combating false information. Plus, we recap the groundbreaking discussions from the Africa Facts Summit , celebrating milestones and lessons learned. Thank you for being part of our journey! We look forward to bringing you more expert insights, fact-checking tools, and engaging conversations in 2025. Join us as we look back—and ahead—on what’s next in the world of fact-checking. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the latest episode is released. Resources United against misinformation: Coalition efforts in the South African elections Real411 is a platform that provides a way for people to combat digital disinformation by reporting it, safe from intimidation and harassment. Africa Check has been involved in a number of coalitions to combat election misinformation this year, such as in Ghana , Namibia , Rwanda , and South Africa . The broad-based coalition aims to help voters critically engage with information and make informed decisions in the voting booth. First Draft News also has a nifty guide to prebunking, which will help inoculate people against misinformation . Securing the Truth: Online Safety for Fact-Checkers If you would like to test your password strength, you can use Bitwarden . To check if your email address has been in a data breach, use the website Have I Been Pwned . Virtual Private Network (VPN) options Nord VPN Proton VPN Two-factor authentication options Google Authenticator Microsoft Authenticator Aegis Authenticator Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Artificial Intelligence: The impact of AI in accurate news reporting 17:20

35 weeks ago17:20

17:20

In this episode of Behind the Facts, we sit down with Catherine Adeniyi, a researcher at Africa Check, to discuss the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). We look at how AI is playing out in fact-checking organisations and newsrooms, and how it can work to the advantage of fact-checkers and journalists. From machine learning tools to deep fakes, Catherine shares key information on how AI influences the spread of misinformation online and gives helpful tips on how to spot AI-generated content. If you are a journalist, a fact-checker or just a curious media consumer, this insightful episode is for you. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the latest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts Featured guest Catherine Adeniyi, Researcher, Africa Check Resources For content cross-checking and scanning : Full Fact Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Securing the Truth: Online Safety for Fact-Checkers 17:37

39 weeks ago17:37

17:37

In this episode of Behind the Facts, we sit down with Carina van Wyk, Head of Training at Africa Check, to unpack the essentials of online and digital security . From securing your email to using VPNs and password managers, Carina shares crucial tips for staying safe online—especially in the high-stakes world of fact-checking . We also hear from fact checkers across Africa, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Namibia, about the skills they've gained through digital security training . Whether you're a fact-checker or just curious about online safety, this episode has something for you. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the latest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts Featured guests Carina van Wyk, Head of Training, Africa Check Lanre Olagunju, OSINT expert, Nigeria Abel Wabella, Executive director, Inform Africa Frederico Links, Project coordinator, Namibia Fact Check Resources For testing your password strength: https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/ For checking whether your email address has been in a data breach: https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Virtual Private Network (VPN) options: https://nordvpn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlhm7BAdUS61iHkMZW7vTQomMEMcnu0JTW9cEz_AHzeKnDLUFy https://protonvpn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop7xicRae77V5Sw6-qkE2WZvZ1cQHuk-g2fREESLGpoBKuo-daR Two-factor authentication options: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en_ZA&pli=1 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.azure.authenticator&hl=en_ZA https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beemdevelopment.aegis Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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United against misinformation: Coalition efforts in the 2024 South African elections 16:58

44 weeks ago16:58

16:58

Get ready for an inside look at the fight against misinformation during the 2024 South African elections ! In this episode, we explore the full-spectrum approach needed to tackle false narratives, from media literacy and quality journalism to collaborating with institutions to ensure people have access to accurate information. Join us as we dive into a powerful discussion held in Johannesburg, where coalition partners and stakeholders, supported by the Google News Initiative and led by Africa Check, reveal how misinformation spread during the election and its impact on public opinion and political outcomes. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the newest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts Featured guests Cayley Clifford, deputy chief editor, Africa Check Nomshado Lubisi-Nkosinkulu, communications manager, Media Monitoring Africa Jean le Roux, senior investigator, Graphika Sarah Lubala-Smit, Info Finder & media literacy editor, Africa Check Resources Info Finder helpdesk We help journalists in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria to find reliable data. Explore tips and tools for journalists or ask our team a question. SANEF 2024 Elections Portal The SANEF 2024 Elections Portal provides useful resources for journalists covering elections. South Africa Election Information Hub South Africa is preparing for crucial national elections at the end of May 2024, thirty years since it became a constitutional democracy. To help cut through the noise, Africa Check has brought together all its election resources in one place. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Navigating the (false) information overload during an election 18:10

48 weeks ago18:10

18:10

Join us as Alphonce Shiundu, Africa Check’s Kenya editor, reflects on the challenges of fighting misinformation during elections. Discover the strategies used to verify political claims, the importance of transparent fact-checking and how to build public resilience to false narratives through pre-bunking. Drawing on his experience of the 2017 and 2022 elections, Alphonce offers invaluable advice on navigating the information overload and recognising the telltale signs of disinformation. Whether you're a voter, journalist, or simply a concerned citizen, this episode is a must-listen for staying informed and skeptical in the face of election misinformation. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the newest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts Featured guests Alphonce Shiundu, Kenya editor, Africa Check Resources South Africa Election Information Hub South Africa is preparing for crucial national elections at the end of May 2024, thirty years since it became a constitutional democracy. To help cut through the noise, Africa Check has brought together all its election resources in one place. A guide to prebunking: a promising way to inoculate against misinformation Debunks don’t reach as many people as misinformation, and they don’t spread nearly as quickly. If they do reach us, they generally struggle to erase the misinformation from our debates or our brains. Even when we’ve been told that the misinformation is false, research suggests it continues to influence our thinking. So it helps to take a page from medicine: Prevention, not cure, may be a more effective way to combat misinformation. Understanding how prebunks work (and how they don’t) is essential for reporters, fact-checkers, policy makers and platforms. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Fighting misinformation during elections 20:20

1 year ago20:20

20:20

In an election year, when hot-button issues such as migration and religious conflict can be politicised and weaponised , insisting on verified information and holding those who spread false information to account has come under the spotlight. In this episode, we talk to Africa Check’s chief editors Lee Mwiti (English) and Valdez Onanina (French) about their experiences fact-checking during elections , including the types of misinformation you’re likely to encounter, and how to tackle them, as well as proven strategies for amplifying verified information through coalitions with media and civil society, and training for those who consume and disseminate information . This episode also includes a special feature on the Nigeria Fact-checkers’ Coalition , an alliance of 12 fact-checking news and research organisations that verify statements made by politicians and false narratives shared online. Featured guests Lee Mwiti, Africa Check chief editor Valdez Onanina, Africa Check chief editor in Senegal Opeyemi Kehinde, FactCheckHub editor Resources South Africa Election Information Hub South Africa is preparing for crucial national elections at the end of May 2024, thirty years since it became a constitutional democracy. To help cut through the noise, Africa Check has brought together all its election resources in one place. Senegal election information hub The February 2024 presidential election in Senegal was considered one of the most important in the country's democratic history. Africa Check and its partners, united in the Fact-Checking Alliance #SaytuSEN2024, fact-checked the public interest claims made by candidates running for office. Nigeria Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NFC) The Nigeria Fact-checkers’ Coalition, an alliance of 12 fact-checking news and research organisations, including CDD Fact-check, Dubawa, FactCheckHub, Cable Check, RoundCheck, Africa Check and others, verified statements made by politicians and the false narratives shared online. Special thanks to This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check. Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.…

Behind the Facts

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Celebrating International Fact-Checking Day 17:52

1 year ago17:52