How we fact check

How We Rate Claims at FactJaja.com

Our values guide our operations as a fact-checking organisation, shaping how we select claims (statements or stories) and the methods we use to conduct thorough research

Below, we explain the ratings we assign after completing our research: how we determine these ratings, what they signify, and how you can verify our findings.

Deciding Our Ratings at FactJaja.com

After our fact-checkers complete their investigations, three team members—the report fact-checker and two editors (Associate and Managing Editors)—review and deliberate on the appropriate rating for the claim. If consensus is not reached, a vote is conducted to finalise the decision.

We choose each rating to give readers the clearest understanding of the accuracy of the statement we can – according to the best evidence publicly available at that particular time.

True: The claim is accurate, according to the best evidence publicly available at the time, and leaves out nothing significant. 

False: The claim is inaccurate according to the best evidence publicly available at the time.

Unproven: Evidence publicly available at the time neither proves nor disproves the statement. More research is needed.

Misleading : Elements of the claim are accurate but presented in a way that is misleading.

Exaggerated: The claim exaggerates the facts.

Understated: The claim understates the facts.

Checked: Multiple claims have been fact-checked.

Hoax: A falsehood deliberately fabricated to masquerade as the truth, humorous or malicious deception. 

How the FactJaja Check Desk Works

At FactJaja.com, we prioritise accuracy and transparency in our fact-checking process. Our methodology is rooted in the S.I.F.T. framework: Stop, Investigate, Find Better Coverage, and Trace the Claim. This approach ensures that every claim is throughly vetted and verified before publication.

Our Fact-Checking Process

1. Claim Identification

Claims are identified through:

  • Media monitoring by FactJaja’s team.

  • Submissions from community members via our tip lines (WhatsApp, email, social media, or phone).

  • Rumour tracking and trending issues.

  • Proposals from editors or fact-checkers based on public interest.

2. Selecting Claims

We use a public interest worthiness matrix to prioritize claims. Editors may assign claims to fact-checkers, or fact-checkers may identify claims to investigate. To avoid bias, we ensure that personal opinions do not influence editorial conclusions.

3. Researching the Claim

Our fact-checkers conduct in-depth research using:

  • Books, articles, and open-source data.

  • Tools like Google Search, Google Reverse Image Search, Invid WeVerify, WHOIS analysis, and interviews.
    These tools help us gather background information about the people, organizations, and claims under investigation.

Content reporting and feedback Process 

  1. Content identification: Content and/or claim is identified by a factjaja media monitor fellow or community member.
  2. Content categorization and labeling: Content and/or claim is submitted through the content submission form.
  3. Action by Factjaja Check: Factjaja Check content moderator evaluates the content and takes a prescribed action based on the assessment.
  4. Result of Action: Factjaja Check content moderator and/or fact-checker receives a result from a third party or senior management on the content or claim.
  5. Feedback to the content originator: Factjaja Check content moderator and/or fact-checker provides feedback to the content originator.
  6. Steps 1 & 2 are evicted by Factjaja Check’s media monitors by filling the content form
  7. Steps 3, 4, and 5 are done by the Content moderator and will be recorded in the content sheet, refer to columns J to P on this sheet.

Content/Claim Public interest worthiness matrix: 

We choose claims to be fact-checked or verified based on the following matrix:

  1. Virality: the tendency of an image, video, or piece of information to be circulated rapidly and widely from one Internet user to another; the quality or fact of being viral.
  2. Harmfulness (Likelihood to cause harm): Does the piece of information have content that will likely cause immediate physical or emotional harm to an individual or a group?   Does the content contain information that incites violence against a community or an individual?
  3. Believability: Given that the content is false, how likely is it for the general public and social media users to believe it. (i.e skilled photoshopped picture vs an image with just a caption on it. Piece of info that has some facts mixed with false information making it harder to distinguish).
  4. Factualness: How factual is the piece of information? Is it based on a well-established source and reported the body of knowledge or it is based on opinions and inaccurate claims?
  5. Fact-checkable or not? Can the content or report be fact-checked or verified using publicly available evidence or data?

  6. Our Fact-Checking Process

At Factjaja, we are committed to combating misinformation and ensuring the accuracy of the information you consume. If you come across any claim, news, or media content that you believe needs verification, submit it to us for fact-checking.

Email: verify@factjaja.com
WhatsApp: +256779325733

At Factjaja, transparency is at the core of our mission. We are committed to providing clear, accurate, and independently verified information while openly disclosing our sources.  We actively welcome feedback and constructive criticism from our audience and partners, as it strengthens our commitment to integrity and continuous improvement. If you wish to request a correction or clarification on any of our reports, blogs, or publications, please email verify@factjaja.com, and our editorial team will promptly address your concerns.