DUBAWA is an independent fact-checking and verification project under the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ). PTCIJ has a number of projects, of which DUBAWA is one. DUBAWA has its own independent staff and funding, however, it is still domiciled in the larger organization - PTCIJ. However, if you still require a notarized document specific to DUBAWA. we could get that done.

As regards the section for electoral candidates, it was created for accessibility. We decided that each electoral candidate should have a page whereby all related claims that have been factchecked will not only appear on the frontpage, but also on the candidate's profile page. People can click on the candidate's profile and view all factchecks that concern the candidate. This is in line with our objective of DUBAWA being a repository of information.

The evidence provided proves that PTCIJ is legally registred, but in as much as it's Dubawa applying for the signatory status, it may not be pertinent. Would it be a bad idea to just add the formal decision that created Dubawa within the Centre. In addition, I am wondering why there is a section dedicated to the candidates running for the elections in Ekiti and Osun States on an website exclusively dedicated to fact-checking. Could you please help me understand here?

https://dubawa.org/ 

Yes! Average, fact-checking reports are published on a weekly basis on Dubawa's website and social media.

DUBAWA as a non-partisan fact-checking platform has established a standard methodology for the sourcing of claims, writing and editing of fact checks. This uniform methodology has ensured consistency across fact checks, while refraining from limiting individual creativity during the process.

As regards political claims, we strive to maintain fairness and balance by producing reports that reflect the ruling and opposing parties.

A more detailed version of our methodology is available on our website: http://dubawa.org/about-us/our-process/ 

As requested, here are 10 links to some of our fact checks:

https://dubawa.org/unemployment-have-nine-million-nigerians-lost-their-jobs-since-2015/

https://dubawa.org/how-accurate-is-buharis-claim-about-the-price-of-crude-oil-between-1999-and-2014/

https://dubawa.org/are-there-more-extremely-poor-people-in-nigeria-than-india/

https://dubawa.org/how-accurate-is-labour-ministers-claim-on-buhari-administrations-job-creation-figures/

https://dubawa.org/is-one-third-of-nigerias-population-hypertensive-unproven/

https://dubawa.org/president-muhammadu-buharis-democracy-day-speech/

https://dubawa.org/did-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-publicly-endorse-pres-buhari-for-the-next-election-no/

https://dubawa.org/does-nigeria-have-the-highest-number-of-out-of-school-children-in-the-world/

https://dubawa.org/accurate-finance-minister-adeosuns-claim-jamb/

https://dubawa.org/has-olusola-ekiti-pdp-governorship-authored-any-books-or-papers-yes/

There no indication whatsoever that there is a political biais or commitment in the selection of the claims and the treatment of the matters. In fact, the variety of the topics clearly shows in the menu of the website: business, health, politics, mainstream, spoofs

The independence policy of our organization can be found at: http://dubawa.org/about-us/independence-policy/ This policy is sent to all staff and duly signed before they can become contributors to our fact checking project.

Kindly find below the DUBAWA Staff Independence Policy as found on the website -

Independence Policy( http://dubawa.org/about-us/independence-policy/)

While Dubawa acknowledges the right of every individual to contest for an elective position as well as support any candidate of their choice running for an elective position, it is our opinion that the independence of the platform may be called to question if team members are partisan. To this end, any team member who wants to contest elections or support/ sponsor a candidate in any form either by active campaigning or donating to a campaign fund; shall resign his/her position on the team. Dubawa and members of its team as well as contributors and members of the governing and editorial board shall by all means remain non-partisan.

Team members who wish to hold public offices must also as a matter of necessity resign their position in DUBAWA. Team members include all members of the governing and editorial board. As such, they may not march or rally in support of public causes or movements, sign ads taking a position on public issues, or lend their name to campaigns, benefit dinners or similar events if doing so might reasonably raise doubts about their ability or DUBAWA’s ability to function as neutral observers in covering the news. Team members must keep in mind that neighbors and other observers commonly see them as representatives of DUBAWA.

Team members may appear from time to time on radio and television programs devoted to public affairs, but they should avoid expressing views that go beyond what they would be allowed to say in the platform. DUBAWA expects team members to consider carefully the forums in which they appear and to protect the standards and impartiality of the platform as a whole.

Team members must know that perfectly proper political activity by their spouses, family or companions may nevertheless create conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflict. When such a possibility arises, the team member should advise the program officer or managing editor. Depending on circumstances, the staff member may have to recuse himself or herself from certain coverage or even move to a job unrelated to the activities in question.

A team member with any doubts about a proposed political activity should consult the program officer or managing editor. These restrictions protect the heart of our mission as journalists. Though DUBAWA will consider matters case by case, it will be exceedingly cautious before permitting an exception.

Stringent policies are put in place to prevent or, should the problem arise, address any political involvement of members of the staff. The organization clearly declares its independance from political entities or causes.

Usually, we hyperlink every source that was used in conducting the fact check, so that our readers can easily locate the full article for information. We also include photos of documents that we received from government institutions if they are not readily available online, taking into cognizance privacy laws.

Our organization also maintains a sourcing policy that is keenly guided by a five-layered evaluation mechanism:

• Named Sources as against unnamed sources

• Authoritative as against random sources

• Independent as against self-interested sources

• Verifiable as against assertive sources

• Multiple as against single sources

In addition, in each fact check, we let the readers know what group the source falls under and why we are using the source.

The sources of the claim and the evidence used for fact-checking are systematically linked to the report. And they all work well! 

http://dubawa.org/about-us/governance-organisation-funding/

Dubawa seems to have one source of funding, Mac Arthur Foundation. They proudly disclose the information in a footer on the website's homepage along with a section in another page. 

http://dubawa.org/about-us/governance-organisation-funding/ 

http://dubawa.org/about-us/team/ 

Members of the Advisory Board and those of the Editorial Board are comprehensively introduced, along with the contributors. There is no indication of contributors on condition of anonymity.

On the contact us page, it explicitly says that we can be emailed or contacted via our social media platform - Twitter. We can also be called via our mobile phoneline which was added to the page, after the first review.

http://dubawa.org/contact-us/

Granted, the public who are really motivated can find the way to submit a claim for fact-checking via the "contact-us" link on the homepage and other pages. Isn't there a more explicit and more visible way to attract more interactions? 

The methodology and processes are thoroughly explained in a drop-down menu because of the website design. It does not distract from the content or visibility of our process.

Also, DUBAWA has a two level Board - The Advisory Board and the Panel of Editors (Editorial Trust Board). The Advisory Board is responsible for overall strategy and the methodology does not require the Advisory Board to submit claims. Rather, it is the Editorial Board that meets regularly (once a month) to discuss what the DUBAWA website should focus on, latest news and trends. Claims are generally obtained through the researchers, and public, while the Editorial Board reviews the activities once a month to ensure that the claims being factchecked are in line with the goals of DUBAWA.

http://dubawa.org/about-us/our-process/

The methodology and processes are thoroughly explained, but in a drop-down menu. In addition, the methodology allows the Advisory Board members to submit claims for fact-checking. How do you make sure that they Don't influence the choice of the topics or find themselves in a conflict of interest (governance Board and editorial advisors at the same time). Wouldn't be more appropriate to keep the Advisory Board away of the claims selection process? What do you think?

Answer – Readers may submit suggestions for fact checking via our email address: contact@dubawa.org; or via our social media handles (Twitter - @dubawang; and facebook - @ptcij).

Our process page also explicitly describes what can or cannot be factchecked. Here's the link: https://dubawa.org/about-us/our-process/

Sure, the process is there. But I can't see a clear indication of what can be fact-checked and what cannot. Please correct me if I am wrong. Otherwise, I kindly suggest that these elements be Added.

Our corrections policy is stated here: http://dubawa.org/about-us/our-process/. We do not think that we need to provide the corrections policy of the parent organization because the question only asks for the corrections policy of the parent organization when that of the fact checking organization is unavailable and ours is available on our website

Also, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) does not have an organization-wide corrections policy. It is a non-governmental organization, founded in 2014, to promote investigative journalism, open data and civic technology. Hence, it coordinates a number of projects, some of which are not editorial and do not need corrections policy.

Again, as a separate project, DUBAWA has its corrections policy which is stated on the website: http://dubawa.org/about-us/our-process/.

The corrections Policy is clearly stated. However, no indication is provided about similar policies with the parent organization (PTCIJ)

There has been no need for corrections on any fact-checked work done by DUBAWA.

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