Behind the Facts

The state of the nation address sets the country’s priorities—but how accurate is it? Africa Check’s Kirsten Cosser and Keegan Leech pull back the curtain on fact-checking the SONA on speech night . Spoiler alert: it looks like the ‘nerdiest party ever’ fuelled by pizza, stats and official reports. They share practical tips to help you follow along: how to spot cherry-picked numbers, decode vague...

As 2025 comes to a close, Behind the Facts looks back on a year defined by one urgent question: how do we protect truth in an increasingly hostile information environment? In this special wrap-up episode, host Thipe Maelane revisits six powerful conversations with fact-checkers, researchers and journalists working on the frontlines of information integrity across Africa and beyond. From battling e...

What if the biggest story about climate change in Africa is the one we’re not telling? In this episode of “Behind the Facts”, we explore how African fact-checkers are shaping the climate conversation — separating myths from facts and highlighting what global narratives often miss. Our guest, Lanre Olagunju, Editor-in-Chief of CheckClimate Africa , joins us to unpack how misinformation affects publ...

Foreign influence isn’t just political - it’s informational . In this episode of Behind the Facts, host Thipe Maelane speaks with Samba Dialimpa Badji, a research fellow and PhD candidate, about foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and its growing impact in Africa. From Russia and China to local governments, discover how disinformation is being used to sway public opinion , fue...

What’s the difference between reporting the news and verifying it? In this episode of Behind the Facts, we dive into the increasingly blurred lines between traditional journalism and fact-checking. As misinformation spreads faster than ever, fact-checkers and journalists are finding new ways to work together—rather than compete. We explore why more newsrooms are launching dedicated verification de...

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...

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 fro...

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 ta...

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...

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 influenc...

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, Ethi...

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, whe...

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 o...

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 electio...

In the very first episode of “Behind the Facts”, we take a look at how fact-checkers in Africa are marking International Fact-Checking Day on 2 April. Plus, because it’s our first episode, we’re taking a bit of time to discover the origin stories of our featured fact-checkers . This episode also offers some insight into how fact-checkers are using artificial intelligence to make their work easier...