Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about PesaCheck Frequently Asked Query

Questions about our fact-checks

Are you independent of your funders?: Yes. No funder sees a fact-check before publication or has any say in which claims we check or what we conclude
How long does a fact-check take: Most take between one and three days, depending on how much primary evidence has to be gathered. Claims that are spreading fast are escalated.
How do you choose which claims to fact-check?: We prioritise claims that are circulating widely and could affect public decisions — health, elections, public finance and safety. Claims sent in by readers are triaged the same way.
Which languages do you publish in?: English, French, Kiswahili, Amharic, Somali and Afaan Oromo, across our desks in East, West and Southern Africa.
What do your verdicts mean?: Each fact-check carries one verdict: False, Partly false, Missing context, Altered, Hoax or Satire. The rating scale and worked examples for each are set out in our methodology.

How do I find fact-checks on a specific topic?: Use the filters on the fact-checks page to narrow by country, topic, language or verdict.
Can I republish your fact-checks?: Yes. Our work is free to republish with attribution and a link back to the original.
How do I submit a claim for fact-checking?: Send it to our tip line on WhatsApp, or use the contact form. Include a link or screenshot and where you saw it.

What happens if you get something wrong?: We correct it and say so. Corrections are published on the original fact-check with a note explaining what changed and when.
Who funds PesaCheck?: PesaCheck was founded with a seed grant from Code for Africa's innovateAFRICA fund and is funded by a mix of grants and third-party fact-checking work. Our funding page lists every funder.

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