The FactCheckHub verify information whether text or visual or audio uttered or shared in public spaces or public mediums like social media, TV, Radio and so on.

Such information could be from government officials – elected and non-elected, celebrities, public figures, interest groups and so on.

• To avoid verifying opinions we ask if the claim – text, audio, video, statement – is based on verifiable fact.
• The claim must be one that is capable of leaving a particular impression that may be misleading to members of the public.
• It must also be of significance.
• The claim must be something likely to be shared by others.
• It must be something that would make an average person wonder if it is true or not.

As an independent non-profit media organisation, the FactCheckHub is deliberate and strategic while sourcing for claims.

Social media platforms serve as major sources of claims, whether it is true or false. These assertions can come in form of tweets on Twitter, Facebook posts, WhatsApp viral messages and lots more.

Claims from speeches and posts on Instagram and YouTube accounts, websites and blogs are also a good sources for claims. We are mindful of trending claims and those that have generated reactions, using our social media monitoring tools.

Beyond these strategies, the FactCheckHub reaches out to different groups on social media to present suspected claims, misinformation and unverified information considered untrue or misleading.

In sourcing these claims, however, we try to ensure that unpopular claims or tweets shared by individuals with insignificant followers are archived but not fact-checked immediately. This is to deliberately avoid amplifying claims that do not have potential to spread fast.

We also encourage readers to suggest claims via email to [email protected] and a dedicated WhatsApp number; we often fact-check statements submitted by the readers, after selecting the most significant ones among them.

As an independent non-profit media organisation, the FactCheckHub is deliberate and strategic while sourcing for claims.

Social media platforms serve as major sources of claims, whether it is true or false. These assertions can come in form of tweets on Twitter, Facebook posts, WhatsApp viral messages and lots more.

Claims from speeches and posts on Instagram and YouTube accounts, websites and blogs are also a good sources for claims. We are mindful of trending claims and those that have generated reactions, using our social media monitoring tools.

Beyond these strategies, the FactCheckHub reaches out to different groups on social media to present suspected claims, misinformation and unverified information considered untrue or misleading.

In sourcing these claims, however, we try to ensure that unpopular claims or tweets shared by individuals with insignificant followers are archived but not fact-checked immediately. This is to deliberately avoid amplifying claims that do not have potential to spread fast.

We also encourage readers to suggest claims via email to [email protected] and a dedicated WhatsApp number; we often fact-check statements submitted by the readers, after selecting the most significant ones among them.

The FactCheckHub, as an independent platform adopts non-ambiguous, clear and concise rating for its fact-check reports.

After concluding the research, we then give a verdict that clearly reflects our findings.

Below are our rating patterns for our FACT GAUGE METRE RATING:

• True
• Mostly true
• Half True
• False
• Mostly false
• Miscaptioned/Misleading
• Unproven/Inconclusive

True

This rating indicates that the primary elements of a claim is accurate and there is nothing significant missing.

Mostly True

This rating indicates that the primary elements of a claim is accurate but needs additional clarifications as some of the auxiliary details surrounding the claim may be inaccurate.

Half True

This rating indicates that a claim has a significant element of both accurate and false information in it, that it cannot be tagged one way or the other.

False

This rating indicates that the primary elements of a claim are verifiably false.

Mostly False

This rating indicates that the primary elements of a claim are verifiably false, but some of the auxiliary elements surrounding the claim may be accurate.

Miscaptioned/Misleading

This rating is used in connection with elements like photographs, infographs, videos, texts, data, quotes etc that are real but placed in a wrong context, accompanied with a false explanation or manipulated.

Unproven/Inconclusive

This rating indicates that the evidence publicly available as at the time the fact-check report was published neither proves nor disproves a claim. Thus, more research is needed.

FactCheckHub is ethically committed to factual verification of information. Done through our multilayer editing and cross-checking process, we try as much as possible to avoid mistakes. But, once a mistake arises, we take responsibility by verifying the error and, once validated, we make the appropriate corrections and publicly declare so.

So, if there are errors of fact or any kind you feel we have made, kindly call our attention to it through [email protected] or +2349030785265

You may as well share your comments, feedback or corrections through the same email.

Our correction process is transparent. First, we acknowledge and send a feedback.

The verification date, sources contacted and appropriate hyperlink to authenticate the new information provided is included in the edited report. It is effected and labelled as either an “Update” or “Correction”.

If you still have additional concerns beyond the correction made, don’t hesitate to reach out as we run a transparent and open policy for the public good. The concerns would be addressed by our superior appropriate professionals.

FactCheckHub seeks claims from speeches by public figures in general, without biases or preferences for their ideological, political, sexual, racial, or religious affiliation.

We do not subject opinions or statements of commitments to verification, unless they are supported by data which can be verified.

Also, we do not verify allegations of corruption, as these are handled by the relevant authorities.

At FactCheckHub, we do not use anonymous sources. Our sources are often identified and cited in our reports. When consulting experts on any claim, we often do so with the aim that your knowledge, data and information confirm or refute the phrase checked, not to spread your personal opinions.

As a matter of policy, we do not issue opinions because we neither defend any ideology, nor do we carry out political or any kind of activism or campaign. We only rate the claim and not the person who said it, as we don’t judge personal attitude.

The FactCheckHub is a non-partisan platform for fact-checking with the primary aim of combatting misinformation, disinformation, hoaxes and rumours about topical issues including politics, health, climate, elections, and governance, among others.

As an independent, impartial fact-checking organisation from Africa, we follow the best practices in fact-checking journalism recognised globally by top fact-checking organisations around the world who are verified signatories to the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles.

We strictly adhere to the fundamental operating principles of commitment to editorial independence, transparency and accuracy.

The code of principles expresses our commitment to truth and information integrity that form the basis of a robust working relationship between FactCheckHub and other non-partisan fact-checking organisations from around the world.

A commitment to non-partisanship and fairness

FactCheckHub verify or debunk claims using the same standard for every fact-check. It ensure fairness, objectivity and is non-partisan to any individual, group or government involved in its fact-checks. You can read more about how we choose claims to be fact-checked in the FAQs webpage here.

A commitment to standards and transparency of sources

It is an integral part of the FactCheckHub’s mission to foster a fact-checking culture among the general public, by improving public knowledge and creating an online platform that serves as a repository of factual and truth-based information. As such, we provide our readers with all the sources cited in our fact-checks to enable them fact-check any claim or even verify our findings independently.

A commitment to transparency of funding and organisation

The FactCheckHub’s ‘about us’ page detailed its key funders on previous and current projects, though the organisation is solely owned by The ICIR - an independent, non-profit newsroom that promotes transparency and accountability through robust and objective investigative reporting.

As a matter of policy, the FactCheckHub does not give donors or advertisers any influence over its reports or ratings, as our editorial independence and fairness is pertinent to the work we do. This is clearly stated in our Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with our partners/grantors. We also detail the professional profile of all key members of our team, including our organisational structure and legal status. In addition, we clearly indicate some ways our readers could reach out to us, including via email, phone number and WhatsApp

A commitment to standards and transparency of methodology

FactCheckHub explains the methodology we use (under Our Process) to select claims, research, write, edit, publish and/or disseminate and correct our fact-checks. In addition, we encourage our readers to send us claims to fact-check and are transparent on why (see our guiding principles on FAQs page). You can also read more about how we rate our claims here.

A commitment to an open and honest corrections policy

FactCheckHub publishes our corrections policy and adhere to it religiously. We provide open, clear, and transparent correction in line with the corrections policy, and give wider publicity to the corrected fact-checks to ensure more readers see the corrected version. If you think we are violating the IFCN Code of Principles, you may notify the IFCN directly using this complaints page on the IFCN website.