Organization: Code for Africa
Applicant: PesaCheck
Assessor: Raymond Joseph
Background
Since its launch in 2016 in three East African countries PesaCheck has grown exponentially, both in the number of countries where it is active and the number of people it employs.
It has extended the issues which fact-checks and has also increased the volume of monthly fact-checks it undertakes and publishes on its own and affiliate newsrooms’ websites.
PesaCheck underwent rapid geographical growth in 2020, going from being active in three African countries to 12. It says that 2021 “will be a year of consolidation and completion” of its medium-term expansion plan. It says it will also look to cementing its network/systems, and amplifying impact in its focal countries.
PesaCheck says its key aims for 2021 include finalising its expansion into three Arabic-speaking countries: Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan, launching an Arabic service and publishing in additional African languages, including regional languages spoken across West Africa and the Maghrib.
As an initiative of Code for Africa, PesaCheck has access to the skills and resources of sister projects like iLAB, which has full-time in-country forensic investigators/data analysts across the continent, who specialise in disinformation/influence operation investigations. It also benefits from fact-checking related tools and technology either developed by CfA or customized from existing open-source resources and code.
PesaCheck also works with CfA’s journalism academy to offer fact-checking training for African journalists. It also partners with news organisations to set-up and co-manages “check desks” in partner newsrooms
It has also set its sights on doubling its output of fact-checks in 2021
Assessment Conclusion
PesaCheck has implemented all the recommendations that we made and is now fully compliant and is eligible to have their IFCN membership renewed.
Raymond Joseph assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
See "Background" above.
Section 1: Eligibility to be a signatory
To be eligible to be a signatory, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 1.1 The applicant is a legally registered organization, or a distinct team or unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.
- 1.2 The team, unit or organization is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking.
- 1.3 The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application. For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track. Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
- 1.4 On average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in the view of the IFCN, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
- 1.5 The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
- 1.6 If the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it provides a statement on its site setting out to the satisfaction of the IFCN, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports.
Criteria 1.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain where on your website you set out information about your organization’s legal status and how this complies with criteria. Attach a link to the relevant page of your website.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck explains its legal status in the ‘Our Principles and Funding’ section of the website, where we explain that PesaCheck is an initiative of Code for Africa (CfA). PesaCheck was established with a seed grant from CfA's innovateAFRICA fund in 2016, and operates under CfA's aegis as a registered public benefit and tax exempt non-profit organisation in South Africa (registration number 168–092 NPO), as well as under CfA's local NGO registration in Kenya (where it is registered as the Civic Media Foundation, number CPR/2016/220101). PesaCheck currently has in-country full-time staff in 12 African countries, comprising Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda.
The information page can be viewed at: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
In this section there is a link "The information page can be viewed at: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1" Within this link there is a section that states:
"CfA is registered as a public benefit and tax exempt non-profit organisation in South Africa (registration number: 168–092 NPO), as well as an NGO in Kenya (where it is registered as the Civic Media Foundation, with registration number CPR/2016/220101) and Nigeria (where is is also registered as the Civic Media Foundation)."
The Nigeria registration is - Code for Nigeria Civic Foundation Nigeria Ltd/Gte RC 1503312 (Updated on the site: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1)
The “Charter” link should point to a dedicated PesaCheck branded page that includes the information on the Code for Kenya link
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck is an initiative of Code for Africa (CfA). CfA is registered as a public benefit and tax-exempt non-profit organization in South Africa (registration number: 168–092 NPO), as well as an NGO in Kenya (where it is registered as the Civic Media Foundation, with registration number CPR/2016/220101) and Nigeria (where it is also registered as the Civic Media Foundation). (See How PesaCheck works https://bit.ly/3nJnau5)
PesaCheck forms part of CfA’s portfolio of verification and fact-checking projects that also includes a series of seed grants to AfricaCheck and the African Network of Centres for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR) for data-driven fact-checking, as well as to africanDRONE and African Defence Review (ADR) for the use of satellite and drone imagery for fact-checking in conflict zones.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
1. PesaCheck was established by CfA in 2016 as East Africa’s first indigenous fact-checking initiative. It initially focused on fact-checking public finances and other statistical/numeric information quoted by public figures, and often used to confuse the public, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. PesaCheck expanded its focus to include fact-checking public service delivery and development promises in 2018, as well as election promises. Fact-checking was originally in the region's major international language, English, and in the the region's largest indigenous language, Kiswahili. In 2019 PesaCheck began to expand regionally, with pilot activities in Ethiopia. In 2020 the Ethiopian pilot was transformed into a full-time office, and PesaCheck also expanded into its first Francophone countries in the Maghrib and west Africa. This expansion is set to continue in 2021, into Arabic speaking African countries in the Horn of Africa.
2. PesaCheck currently has 25 full-time salaried employees, and a changing number of part-time fellows/affiliates that average an additional 10 people at any time. PesaCheck does not use volunteers. The full-time staff include three senior editors (a managing editor, chief copy editor and news editor), a four person copy-desk, two multimedia/social media producers, one newsdesk data analyst/researcher, and 15 fact-checkers. PesaCheck's publisher is CfA CEO Justin Arenstein. PesaCheck is also supported by another CfA initiative, the iLAB, which has full-time in-country forensic investigators/data analysts across the continent who specialise in disinformation/influence operation investigations. In addition, CfA's wider 78-person staff of editors/analysts/technologists/investigators/researchers also regularly support PesaCheck's efforts, including extensive support for hosting workshops from CfA's Academy. PesaCheck fellows are short-term paid part-time staff who work on specific projects or research. PesaCheck affiliates are full-time editorial staff at partner newsrooms, who run internal fact-checking desks and who are co-managed by PesaCheck.
3. PesaCheck's primary mission is to debunk mis-/disinformation in 12 African countries, currently publishing in two international languages (English and French), as well as two African languages (Amharic and Kiswahili), for a range of mainstream media partners and civil society watchdogs. PesaCheck is currently publishing an average of 200 fact-checks per month, on its website, as well as a WhatsApp newsletter/podcast and in partner media.
PesaCheck also helps establish and co-manage a network of 'check-desks' in partner newsrooms, which are staffed by full-time newsroom employees and who are mentored and co-managed by PesaCheck using a 'hub-&-spoke' system similar to international news agency models. The check-desks function de facto 'bureau' for PesaCheck, that are coordinated/supported by PesaCheck's central newsroom. PesaCheck currently co-manages check-desks at 10 partner media in Kenya and (from late 2020) in Ethiopia. The partners all syndication PesaCheck fact-checks, as well as selectively republish each other's fact-checks. The model will expand to other countries in 2021.
PesaCheck builds enabling technologies and publishes data that helps streamline and amplify public fact-checking, including a PromiseTracker toolkit that helps citizens and watchdog NGOs track and fact-check promises made by politicians or government agencies; a PesaYetu census/budget visualisation toolkit that helps researchers/journalists/activists better understand available public data on key development issues; a DebunkBot toolkit that automatically informs users on Twitter and (from 2021) other social media when they share proven mis-/disinfo; a Politwoops toolkit that alerts researchers/journalists/activists the moment a public figure deletes a Tweet; a WhatsApp tip-off line that allows the public to check whether a claim they're received has been debunk (and if not, allows PesaCheck to fact-check it for them); a ComparativeScales visualisation toolkit that helps researchers/journalists/activists easily compare like-with-like numbers or statistics to simplify visual/infographic explanations of complex issue; and a MemeDB database of debunked African misinformation to help others build on top of. All PesaCheck tools are open source and open data. PesaCheck furthermore works with Meedan to refine/improve the workflows and functionality on the CHECK content/production management system for fact-checkers and has built substantive plugins for the service.
PesaCheck also, with support from CfA's Academy, runs an extensive training programme that mentored 355 journalists across the region in 2020. The training is not hit and run one-off workshops. PesaCheck instead partners with journalism schools/universities and with mainstream newsrooms to deliver ongoing incremental training, with biweekly lessons and task-based assignments, one-on-one mentoring and regular competence tests/evaluations. In addition to editorial fact-checking, PesaCheck also trains media managers in the business/production systems, and advises other fact-checking organisations on their production/management models. PesaCheck supported peer organisations in Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zimbabwe in 2020.
4. 2020 was a year of rapid geographic expansion/growth for PesaCheck, during which it grew from three to 12 countries. 2021 will be a year of consolidation, during which PesaCheck completes its medium term expansion plan, cements its network/systems, and amplifies impact in its focal countries. PesaCheck's specific 2021 plans include:
- Finalising our geographic expansion, to three outstanding (Arabic speaking) countries consisting of Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan.
- Launching our Arabic service and publishing in additional African languages, including regional languages spoken across west Africa and the Maghrib.
- Refining our 'surge' strategies for rapidly scaling up country teams/resources during crises such as the 2020 civil war in Ethiopia, the coup in CAR or fiercely contested elections in places like Tanzania, Niger, etc.
- Doubling our editorial output, to a minimum average of 400 fact-checks per month.
- Deepening audience engagement with our content, including through significant growth of our syndication partnerships and subscriptions to newsletters, etc.
- Growing adoption/use of our digital tools, including the new WhatsApp tip-line, and deployment of PromiseTracker in new countries.
- Expanding our check-desk newsroom model to half of the 15 countries we will be operating in, with an average of four newsroom partnerships per country.
- Expanding our university/newsroom training partnerships, including courseware in additional African languages.
- Formalising our nascent research partnerships with think tanks/academia, to produce at least three substantive research reports in 2021.
- Forging new resource partnerships with additional digital platforms, including YouTube, Telegram and TicToc.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
1) 1. PesaCheck was established in 2016 as East Africa’s first indigenous fact-checking initiative. It initially focused on fact-checking public finances and other statistical/numeric information quoted by public figures and often used to confuse the public, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
In 2018 PesaCheck expanded its focus to include fact-checking public service delivery and development and election promises. Its fact-checking was originally in the region's major international language, English, and in the region's largest indigenous language, Kiswahili.
In 2019 PesaCheck began to expand regionally, with pilot activities in Ethiopia. In 2020, the Ethiopian pilot was transformed into a full-time office, and PesaCheck also expanded into its first Francophone countries in the Maghrib and west Africa. This expansion is set to continue in 2021, into Arabic speaking African countries in the Horn of Africa.
2) PesaCheck currently has 25 full-time, salaried employees. It also has a fluctuating number of part-time fellows/affiliates, averaging 10 people at any time. It does not make use of volunteers. Its full-time staff includes three senior editors (a managing editor, chief copy editor, and news editor); a four-person copy-desk; two multimedia/social media producers; one newsdesk data analyst/researcher, and 15 fact-checkers. PesaCheck fellows are paid short-term, part-time staff who work on specific projects or research.
PesaCheck is also supported by another CfA initiative, the iLAB, which has full-time in-country forensic investigators/data analysts across the continent, who specialise in disinformation/influence operation investigations.
In addition, CfA's wider 78-person staff of editors, analysts, technologists, investigators, and researchers also regularly support PesaCheck's efforts, including extensive support for hosting workshops from CfA's academy.
PesaCheck affiliates are full-time editorial staff at partner newsrooms, who run internal fact-checking desks that are co-managed by PesaCheck.
3) In its application, PesaCheck states that its primary mission is to debunk mis-/disinformation in 12 African countries. It publishes in English and French and also in two African languages (Amharic and Kiswahili), for a range of mainstream media partners and civil society watchdogs. PesaCheck currently publishes dozens of fact-checks each month (In its application PesaCheck says it publishes an average of 200 fact-checks per month on its website and in partner media.) It also publishes a WhatsApp newsletter/podcast.
PesaCheck also helps establish and co-manage a network of 'check-desks' in partner newsrooms, which are staffed by full-time newsroom employees who are mentored and co-managed by PesaCheck using a 'hub-&-spoke' system similar to international news agency models.
The check-desks function as de facto 'bureaus' for PesaCheck, which are coordinated/supported by PesaCheck's central newsroom. PesaCheck currently co-manages check-desks at 10 partner media in Kenya and (from late 2020) in Ethiopia. The partners all syndication PesaCheck fact-checks, as well as selectively republish each other's fact-checks. The model will expand to other countries in 2021.
PesaCheck also benefits from the work of it parent organisation, CfA, which builds and/or customises open-source enabling technologies that help streamline and amplify public fact-checking. It is unclear how many of these tools PesaCheck is currently actively using. These tools include:
* a PromiseTracker toolkit to help citizens and watchdog NGOs track and fact-check promises made by politicians or government agencies; https://bit.ly/38wX0Ey
* a PesaYetu census/budget visualisation toolkit that helps researchers, journalists and activists better understand available public data on key developmental issues; https://bit.ly/3rn4Bye
* a DebunkBot toolkit that automatically informs users on Twitter and (from 2021) other social media when they share proven mis-/disinfo; https://bit.ly/2JdNn51
* a Politwoops toolkit that sends alerts when a public figure deletes a Tweet. (Github: https://github.com/CodeForAfrica/politwoops Kenyan version https://politwoops.codeforkenya.org/)
* a WhatsApp tip-off line that allows the public to check whether a claim they're received has been debunked (and if not, allows PesaCheck to fact-check it for them);
* a ComparativeScales visualisation toolkit that helps researchers/journalists/activists easily compare like-with-like numbers or statistics to simplify visual/infographic explanations of complex issues; https://bit.ly/3mVc7g4
* a MemeDB database of debunked African misinformation on top of which others can build. All PesaCheck tools are open source and open data. PesaCheck also works with Meedan to refine/improve the workflows and functionality on the CHECK content/production management system for fact-checkers and has built substantive plugins for the service.
With support from CfA's Academy, PesaCheck runs a training programme that mentored 355 journalists in 2020. It partners with journalism schools/universities and with mainstream newsrooms to deliver ongoing incremental training, with biweekly lessons and task-based assignments, one-on-one mentoring, and regular competence tests/evaluations. In addition to editorial fact-checking, PesaCheck also trains media managers in the business/production systems and advises other fact-checking organisations on their production/management models.
* PesaCheck supported peer organisations in the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe in 2020.
4) PesaCheck grew rapidly geographically in 2020, going from three to 12 countries where it is active. It says that 2021 will be a year of consolidation and completion of its medium-term expansion plan. It will also look to cementing its network/systems, and amplifying impact in its focal countries.
In its reassessment application, PesaCheck says its specific 2021 plans include:
* Finalising its geographic expansion into three Arabic-speaking countries: Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan.
* Launching its Arabic service and publishing in additional African languages, including regional languages spoken across West Africa and the Maghrib.
* Refining its 'surge' strategies for rapidly upscaling country teams/resources during crises, like the 2020 civil war in Ethiopia, the coup in CAR, or fiercely contested elections in places like Tanzania, Niger, etc.
* Doubling its editorial output, to a minimum average of 400 fact-checks per month.
* Deepening audience engagement with its content, including through significant growth of syndication partnerships and subscriptions to newsletters, etc.
* Growing adoption/use of its digital tools, including a new WhatsApp tip-line, and deployment of PromiseTracker in new countries.
* Expanding its check-desk newsroom model to half of the 15 countries it plans to be operating in, with an average of four newsroom partnerships per country.
* Expanding its university/newsroom training partnerships, including courseware in additional African languages.
* Formalising its nascent research partnerships with think tanks/academia, to produce at least three substantive research reports in 2021.
* Forging new resource partnerships with additional digital platforms, including YouTube, Telegram and TicToc.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck started 2020 publishing an average of 25 fact-checks per month. By mid-2020 this had increased to 150 fact-checks per month. The last two months of 2020 averaged 200 fact-checks per month.
Our full archive for 2020 can be found here: https://pesacheck.org/archive/2020
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As PesaCheck has scaled up its monthly number of fact-checks and it has grown exponentially since it was first assessed for IFCN membership in 2019. It more than meets the criteria for the monthly fact-checking output required by IFCN. By the end of 2020, it was publishing dozens of fact-checks each month across its country and partner networks.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck more than meets the criteria required to be compliant.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck does not receive funding from any African government or political agency.
PesaCheck has received a series of modest grants totalling $150,000 in 2020 from the German taxpayer-funded Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA) for newsroom support/training activities in Ethiopia and Kenya. The grants, which are part of a multi-year agreement, guarantee complete editorial control for PesaCheck.
PesaCheck has also received a small ($25,000) grant from Meedan in the U.S.A that is underwritten by the Swedish government development agency, SIDA. The agreement guarantees PesaCheck complete editorial control, while the funds are earmarked in support of our pan-African training activities and digital tool development (specifically for PromiseTracker).
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck does not receive funding from any African government or political agency.
PesaCheck has received a series of "modest" grants totaling $150,000 in 2020 from the German taxpayer-funded Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA) for newsroom support/training activities in Ethiopia and Kenya. The grants, which are part of a multi-year agreement, guarantee complete editorial control for PesaCheck, according to the application.
PesaCheck also received a small ($25,000) grant from Meedan in the U.S.A., which was underwritten by SIDA, the Swedish government development agency. The agreement guarantees PesaCheck complete editorial control, with the funds earmarked in support of our pan-African training activities and digital tool development (specifically for PromiseTracker).
See "Transparency of Funding" https://bit.ly/3aCDycn for details.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck does not receive any direct funding from African/foreign state agencies or political sources.
The 'Our Principles and Funding' page on PesaCheck's website states: "...We are politically neutral and non-partisan, meaning that we do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We also do not undertake any advocacy work either for ourselves or on behalf of others.
We remain impartial in the work that we do. As far as our content is concerned, we do not endorse or support any political parties."
https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
Code for Africa
04-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
(Updated response) We have updated the dedicated PesaCheck page with the assessor’s recommendation: (last paragraph on “Committing to non-partisanship and fairness”) https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Recommendations (see also 2.5)
This statement does not appear on PesaCheck's "Our Principals..." page as suggested in the application. But a " "Charter" link on that page, in the "Committing to non-partisanship and fairness" section, leads to a Code for Kenya page https://bit.ly/3nKMPmk where the language in the application seems to come from.
There should either be:
1) a link to the mother body Code for Africa's site if it has an organization-wide statement (like this one https://codeforkenya.org/who-we-are/) covering all CfA projects;
or, if there isn't a universal CfA statement covering all its organisations;
2) the "Charter" link should point to a dedicated PesaCheck branded page that includes the information on the Code for Kenya link
3) It is also important to include the fact that where PesaCheck has received funding - directly or indirectly - related to a foreign government or one of its agencies - that the terms of these grants guarantee complete editorial control for Pesa Check. This information should be added to the "Committing to non-partisanship and fairness" section on the "Our Principles" page.
cancel 1.6 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
09-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Our Charter" link (https://bit.ly/37b8qhz) on Pesa Check's "Our principals and Funding" page (https://bit.ly/3aCDycn) now links to the mother organisation Code for Africa's over-arching policy that covers all the organisations that are part of it. Previously it pointed to a web page for Code for Kenya, another Code for Africa organisation.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness
To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
- 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
- 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
- 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
- 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.
Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://pesacheck.org/false-this-is-not-the-daily-monitor-front-page-for-nov-19-3faabaeacd03
The fact-checks above, as well as the 100s of others we have produced over 2020, demonstrate PesaCheck's policies for predominantly using primary sources (we only use secondary sources when there’s a compelling reason), and using multiple sources to corroborate wherever appropriate. PesaCheck also publishes all supporting documentation that is not already online on our sourceAFRICA.net platform and all supporting data on open.AFRICA so that audiences have unfettered direct access to the evidence we cite in our fact checks. All PesaCheck fact-checks include a detailed explanation at the bottom naming the team that worked on the article, as well as any donors/partners who may have supported the work.
PesaCheck's fact-checking in produced using a standardised step-by-step workflow with inbuilt standardised checklists on the CHECK platform, that is complimented by a detailed playbook/editorial editorial guide. PesaCheck's newsroom is managed using a step-by-step production workflow that is applied without exception in every single fact-check, and that includes individual quality control reviews by different editors at five distinct production milestones.
By using the same method in every fact-check, we let the evidence direct us to the conclusion of the rating of a claim.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The necessary criteria for compliance have been met
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please see the "Sources" and "Identifying facts to be checked" sections on this page of our website: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
See "Sources" and "Identifying facts to be checked" sections here: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Jump to the section on "Non-Partisanship and Fairness" on this page on the website: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
Code for Africa
04-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
(Updated response...) https://medium.com/code-for-africa/about-us-567c3fde3ad3
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Recommendations
A "Charter" link under the Committing to non-partisanship and fairness" section on the "Our Principles and Funding" leads to a Code for Kenya (https://bit.ly/3nKMPmk) page where the language in the application seems to come from. There should either be
1) a link to the mother body Code for Africa's site where there is an organization-wide statement (like this one https://codeforkenya.org/who-we-are/) covering all CfA projects;
or
2) the "Charter" link should point to a dedicated PesaCheck-branded page that includes the information on the Code for Kenya link
cancel 2.5 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
09-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Recommended the same changes as 1.6, which have been made.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources
To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria
- 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
- 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
- 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
- 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please feel free to shout if the assessor has any queries, or needs any context/clarification.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization
To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
- 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
- 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
- 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
- 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.
Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck is the fact-checking unit/team at Code for Africa (CfA), which is an independent organization registered as a public benefit non-profit in South Africa (as the headquarters), with separate local non-profit registration in Kenya and Nigeria. Please see the attached certificate of registration for the primary registration in South Africa.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck is the fact-checking unit of Code for Africa (CfA). CfA is an independent organisation registered as a non-profit in South Africa - where it has its headquarters. It also has local non-profit registrations in Kenya and Nigeria.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck's affiliation with Code for Africa, and our management systems/independence are explained on the following page on our website: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
See "How Pesa Check Works" for details of its parent organisation and registration https://bit.ly/3nJnau5
See "Transparency of Funding" for details of how it is funded https://bit.ly/3aCDycn
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck's editorial systems and structure are explained on this page on our website: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
See "Our Structure and Process" https://bit.ly/3nJnau5
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck's people are described here: https://pesacheck.org/about
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://pesacheck.org/contact-us-3ba3730bf068
https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee (please jump to the last paragraph under "Identifying facts to be checked")
Code for Africa
04-Feb-2021 (3 years ago)
https://pesacheck.org/contact-us-3ba3730bf068
https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee (please jump to the last paragraph under "Identifying facts to be checked")
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Recommendation
1) Currently, "Contact Us" only links to the physical address and phone number for PesaCheck Kenya. I suggest that PesaCheck supply contact details on the "contact us" page for countries where PesaCheck is active and has an office and/or is contactable https://bit.ly/3heJWrm
2) On the Google form to submit a fact-check (*https://bit.ly/3mJEX32) update to add checkboxes for additional countries where PesaCheck is active.
cancel 4.5 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
09-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Recommended change made and contact page now has contact details for all countries in which PesaCheck is active. https://bit.ly/3heJWrm
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology
To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
- 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
- 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
- 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
- 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
- 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.
Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We encourage our readers to suggest claims to fact-check, through a number of channels, such as on our Facebook group (via FB Messenger), as well as via a WhatsApp tipline (screenshot of our call-to-action materials for the tip-line), a Google Form that is embedded into various audience engagement campaigns (see the form here: http://bit.ly/PesaCheck-Tipline-Form), and via email (please see "Identifying claims to be checked" section of this article: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee.
All the submissions are funnelled into a dedicated channel on our Slack, with requests assigned to researchers and regular feedback offered to the submitter.
PesaCheckWhatsAppCon... (740 KB)
Code for Africa
04-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
(Revised response)
We encourage our readers to suggest claims to fact-check, through a number of channels, such as our Facebook group (via FB Messenger), a WhatsApp tipline (screenshot of our call-to-action materials for the tipline), a Google Form that is embedded into various audience engagement campaigns (see the form here: http://bit.ly/3amXzlr), and via email (please see the "Identifying claims to be checked" section of this article: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee.
All the submissions are funnelled into a dedicated channel on our Slack, with requests assigned to researchers and regular feedback offered to the submitter.
Furthermore, we support CheckDesk fact-checking teams at independent newsrooms, who also invite their audiences to submit claims for verification.
(Form updated for part 1 & 2: https://bit.ly/3amXzlr)
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck's audience can suggest fact-checks via several channels. These are its Facebook group (using FB Messenger); via a WhatsApp tip line; a Google Form that is embedded into various audience engagement campaigns (http://bit.ly/PesaCheck-Tipline-Form), and via email.
All submissions are funneled into a dedicated Slack, with requests assigned to researchers and regular feedback offered to the submitter
For details of what can and can't be fact-checked see "Identifying claims to be checked" here: https://bit.ly/3nJnau5
Recommendation
1) Add a checkbox for any additional countries where PesaCheck is active to the Tip Line form. Currently, it only lists Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is important to keep this form updated and new countries added as they become part of the PesaCheck networkl
2) Consider including an explainer in the intro to the Tip Line form saying something like: "What we can and can't fact-check: PesaCheck only fact-checks statements which are based on verifiable facts or numbers. There are things we cannot check, like opinions, and statements about the future. See "Identifying claims to be checked" for more details: > https://bit.ly/3nJnau5
cancel 5.6 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
09-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Also resolved by https://bit.ly/3heJWrm which allows people wishing to submit fact-checks to an email relevant to a specific country.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy
To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
- 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
- 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
- 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
- 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.
Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Please scroll down to the "Corrections Policy" section on this page: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
See "Corrections Policy" > https://bit.ly/3nJnau5
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Criteria for compliance have been met.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck's Corrections Policy is outlined here: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
PesaCheck has provided acknowledgement/receipt within 48hrs on all queries and/or complaints received via the public channels outlined in 5.6 above, and has provided further detailed responses to submitters within 72hrs of their original query and/or complaint. This has included a growing volume of complaints sparked by Facebook actions based on PesaCheck fact-checks.
PesaCheck has not needed to publish any corrections, or clarifications on its fact-checks during 2020. We believe this is due to our 5-stage internal editorial review process that all fact-checks undergo prior to publication. All public complaints received in 2020 have been found to either be due to complainants misunderstanding of Facebook's classification/action relating to their original post, or to a misunderstanding of the original claim/evidence. In fact, some complainants have subsequently corrected their original public statements to reflect the correct facts, in response to PesaCheck's fact-check. We attach examples of our responses to complainants.
In addition, while preparing this response to IFCN, we have discovered that IFCN collects/channels channels complaints it receives about member organisations. We had not previously been aware of this (and would suggest that IFCN introduce an alert system to bring the complaints to members' attention). We have now responded to the complainants (one doesn't have merit, and the other is missing critical information), and will monitor the complaints until they are resolved.
We have one example of a fact-check we corrected, after a reader reached out to us to point out some background information we had missed. At the end of the article, we stated the corrections made, and admitted what we had missed. https://pesacheck.org/hoax-icc-will-not-open-crimes-against-humanity-charges-against-who-director-general-tedros-adhanom-9dd91fd496a6
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
An example of a correction has been supplied by PesaCheck. An example was not supplied with the original application. https://bit.ly/3aVtObA
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We explain that we're an IFCN member in the "Signatory at IFCN" section on this page: https://pesacheck.org/our-principles-2e9c5a00ecb1
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
See "Holding ourselves to international standards" section: https://bit.ly/3aCDycn
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.
Code for Africa
02-Dec-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck is a fact-checking unit at a civic technology non-profit, not at a parent media company. Code for Africa (CfA) isn't a publisher, and therefore does not have its own corrections policy.
PesaCheck's own corrections policy can be viewed here: https://pesacheck.org/our-methodology-f3d77521a1ee
Raymond Joseph Assessor
23-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
PesaCheck is a project of Code for Africa. CfA is a civic tech organisation, not a media company. It does not have its own corrections policy. For details of PesaCheck's own correction policy see the section marked "Corrections Policy" https://bit.ly/3nJnau5