Fact-Checking Policy

Last updated: 22 October 2026

1. Our Commitment to Accuracy

This Is Africa (TIA) is committed to publishing credible, accurate, fair, and responsible journalism. We believe that reliable information enables people to make informed decisions about their lives, communities, and societies.

As an independent pan-African digital media platform, we cover politics, governance, democracy, human rights, culture, development, business, technology, and other issues affecting Africa and the wider world.

Our fact-checking practices are designed to minimise factual errors, verify information before publication, distinguish facts from opinion, and maintain public trust in journalism.

We recognise that no editorial process can eliminate every error. When mistakes occur, we are committed to correcting them transparently and promptly in accordance with our Corrections Policy.

2. Verification Before Publication

We make reasonable efforts to verify material factual claims before publishing news reports, features, analysis, opinion pieces, interviews, and other content.

Depending on the nature of the story, our verification process may include:

Checking claims against reliable primary and secondary sources.
Reviewing official documents, legislation, court records, public statements, and published research.
Comparing information across independent and credible sources.
Confirming names, dates, locations, titles, quotations, statistics, and other material details.
Contacting relevant individuals, institutions, experts, or organisations for clarification.
Examining the origin, context, and reliability of information supplied by contributors or third parties.
Assessing whether available evidence supports the conclusions presented in an article.

The level of verification required depends on the significance of the claim, the reliability of the available evidence, and the potential consequences of publishing inaccurate information.

We aim to resolve material uncertainties before publication rather than relying on assumptions or unsupported claims.

3. Source Evaluation

The quality of journalism depends on the quality of its sources. We assess sources according to their reliability, relevance, independence, expertise, and access to the information being reported.

Primary Sources

Where appropriate and available, we prioritise primary sources, including:

Official government documents and public records.
Court judgments, legal filings, and legislation.
Original research, datasets, and scientific publications.
Direct interviews and on-the-record statements.
Reports and statements issued by recognised institutions.
Original photographs, videos, recordings, and other verifiable evidence.

Primary sources are not automatically accurate or impartial. We consider their context, limitations, potential interests, and consistency with other available evidence.

Secondary Sources

We may use established news organisations, academic publications, specialist publications, and reputable research institutions to provide context or corroborate information.

Where possible, we seek to verify significant claims against original evidence rather than relying solely on another publication’s account.

Anonymous and Confidential Sources

We may rely on confidential sources when the information is important, cannot reasonably be obtained through safer or more transparent means, and the circumstances justify protecting the source’s identity.

Anonymous claims require careful assessment. Depending on the seriousness of the allegation, we may seek independent corroboration, examine supporting evidence, and obtain editorial approval before publication.

We do not treat anonymity as a substitute for verification.

We take reasonable steps to protect confidential sources while recognising that confidentiality may be subject to applicable legal requirements.

4. Verification of Claims and Allegations

Claims involving wrongdoing, corruption, abuse, criminal conduct, professional misconduct, or other serious allegations require particular care.

Before publishing such material, we aim to:

Establish a reasonable evidential basis for the allegation.
Seek corroboration from independent sources or documentary evidence where possible.
Distinguish verified facts from allegations, interpretations, and speculation.
Contact the person or organisation concerned for a response when appropriate and practicable.
Present relevant responses fairly and in context.
Avoid language that implies guilt or wrongdoing has been established when it has not.
Consider potential risks to individuals, including children, vulnerable people, whistleblowers, and survivors of abuse.

A failure to obtain a response does not, by itself, prove an allegation. Where relevant, we may state that a response was requested but not received by the time of publication.

We will not knowingly present an unverified allegation as an established fact.

5. Statistics, Research, and Data

Statistical claims can be misleading when figures are taken out of context or presented without sufficient explanation.

When publishing statistics or research findings, we aim to verify:

The original source of the data.
The date of publication and the period covered.
The geographical area and population represented.
The methodology and relevant limitations.
Whether the figures are estimates, projections, preliminary findings, or confirmed results.
Whether comparisons between datasets are appropriate.
Whether the conclusions drawn are supported by the evidence.

We will make reasonable efforts to provide links or citations to relevant source material so readers can assess important claims for themselves.

Where data is disputed, incomplete, or subject to revision, we aim to explain those limitations clearly.

6. Photographs, Videos, and Digital Evidence

Images and recordings can provide valuable evidence, but they can also be misleading, manipulated, miscaptioned, or circulated without context.

Before relying on visual material for significant factual claims, we may examine:

The original source and circumstances in which the material was obtained.
The date and location, where these can be reliably established.
Whether captions accurately describe the people, events, and places shown.
Whether the material has been edited or manipulated in a misleading way.
Whether independent sources or other evidence support the interpretation.
Whether publication could create an unreasonable risk to an individual’s safety or privacy.

Where appropriate and feasible, we may use reverse-image searches, metadata, geolocation techniques, or other digital verification methods.

We will not knowingly present old or unrelated images as if they depict a current event.

Where an image is illustrative rather than documentary, we aim to label it appropriately.

7. Social Media and User-Generated Content

Social media can help identify developing stories and provide first-hand accounts, but posts, photographs, videos, and viral claims are not automatically reliable.

We assess social media material according to its source, context, authenticity, and available corroborating evidence.

Before publishing material from social platforms, we may seek to establish the identity or credibility of the account holder, locate the original post, verify the content’s timing and location, and contact relevant parties.

We do not regard popularity, repeated sharing, or a large number of views as proof that a claim is true.

Content submitted by readers and contributors is subject to editorial review. We reserve the right to reject material that cannot be adequately verified or that presents an unacceptable legal, ethical, or safety risk.

8. Fact-Checking Across Africa’s Diverse Contexts

Our pan-African coverage requires attention to the political, cultural, linguistic, historical, and social contexts in which stories emerge.

We recognise that information may be incomplete, contested, or difficult to independently verify, particularly in conflict-affected areas, remote communities, and places where access to official records or independent reporting is limited.

Where appropriate, we seek perspectives from local journalists, researchers, subject specialists, community members, and other knowledgeable sources.

We aim to avoid treating a single source, institution, community, or viewpoint as representative of an entire country or region without sufficient evidence.

We also recognise the importance of indigenous knowledge and local expertise. Such knowledge is considered in context, with appropriate attribution and respect for the people and communities concerned.

When reliable verification is not possible, we aim to communicate the uncertainty clearly rather than present incomplete information as conclusive.

9. Opinion, Analysis, and Commentary

This Is Africa publishes opinion, commentary, and analysis alongside factual reporting.

Opinion writers and commentators may express interpretations, arguments, and judgments that differ from those of our editors or readers. However, factual claims within opinion pieces must still meet appropriate standards of accuracy and verification.

We aim to distinguish between:

Fact: Information supported by verifiable evidence.
Opinion: A person’s interpretation, judgment, or viewpoint.
Analysis: An evidence-based interpretation of events, trends, or information.
Allegation: A claim that has been made but has not necessarily been independently established.
Prediction: A statement about a possible future outcome rather than a verified present fact.

We do not require all contributors to share the same views, but we expect factual claims to be presented honestly and supported appropriately.

Publication of an opinion does not necessarily indicate endorsement by This Is Africa.

10. Election, Conflict, and Breaking News

Election coverage, armed conflicts, public emergencies, protests, and other rapidly developing events require particular vigilance because inaccurate information can cause serious harm.

In these circumstances, we aim to:

Verify claims about results, casualties, arrests, public statements, and official decisions before presenting them as confirmed.
Distinguish official announcements from independently verified information.
Attribute provisional figures and developing claims to their sources.
Avoid publishing unverified rumours or inflammatory claims merely to be first.
Update articles as credible new information becomes available.
Explain significant uncertainty or conflicting accounts where relevant.

When information cannot yet be fully confirmed, we may delay publication or clearly qualify the report.

Speed does not take priority over accuracy.

11. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools

Digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), may assist with research, transcription, translation, data analysis, or other editorial tasks where appropriate.

However, AI-generated output is not itself proof that a claim is accurate.

Material factual claims produced or assisted by AI must be checked against reliable evidence before publication. We do not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, invented sources, false references, or synthetic images presented deceptively as authentic documentary evidence.

Contributors and editors should disclose substantial AI assistance where required by our editorial procedures or where the use of such tools is material to understanding the content.

Human editorial responsibility remains central to our verification process.

12. Editorial Responsibility

Contributors are responsible for submitting work that is accurate, properly sourced, and compliant with our editorial standards.

Editors are responsible for assessing submissions, identifying material verification concerns, requesting clarification where necessary, and deciding whether the available evidence supports publication.

Depending on the subject and the potential risk, additional editorial review may be required before publication.

Commercial interests, advertisers, sponsors, political actors, and external pressure must not determine whether a factual claim is accepted as true.

We seek to maintain editorial independence and make verification decisions on the basis of evidence, relevance, fairness, and the public interest.

13. Corrections and Updates

If an error is identified before publication, we aim to resolve it before the material is published.

If a material factual error is discovered after publication, we will assess the evidence and correct the record where appropriate.

Depending on the circumstances, we may:

Correct inaccurate information.
Add a correction or clarification note.
Update an article to reflect significant new developments.
Correct an inaccurate headline, caption, graphic, or social media post.
Remove material when justified by serious factual, ethical, legal, or safety concerns.

We distinguish between correcting an error and updating a story because circumstances have changed.

Significant corrections should be transparent and proportionate to the nature of the mistake. Please consult our Corrections Policy for further information.

Readers who identify a potential error can contact us at info@thisisafrica.me.

14. Limits of Verification

We recognise that verification is an ongoing process and that some events cannot be fully established at the time of reporting.

Sources may provide incomplete information, official accounts may be disputed, and new evidence may emerge after publication.

We aim to communicate material uncertainty honestly and avoid overstating what the available evidence demonstrates.

Our commitment is to exercise reasonable care, follow responsible editorial practices, and address credible concerns when new information becomes available.

15. Our Commitment to Readers

Fact-checking is fundamental to our mission to inform, educate, and connect audiences across Africa and beyond.

We believe that responsible journalism requires more than publishing claims. It requires examining evidence, questioning assumptions, acknowledging uncertainty, and correcting mistakes.

We are committed to strengthening public trust through accuracy, fairness, transparency, and accountability.

We welcome readers, contributors, researchers, and members of the public to raise good-faith concerns about the accuracy of our reporting.

Our principle is simple: verify before publishing, provide context when reporting, and correct the record when we get something wrong.

16. Contact Us

If you have a question about the accuracy of an article, wish to provide supporting evidence, or would like to report a potentially false or misleading claim, please contact our editorial team.

Organisation: This Is Africa (TIA)

Email: info@thisisafrica.me

Website: https://thisisafrica.me

Please include the article headline, the article URL, the specific claim you are questioning, and any supporting evidence that may assist our review.

We will assess credible concerns in accordance with our editorial standards and Corrections Policy.

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