LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.
- Overall, we rate Africa Check Least Biased based on balanced, accurate fact checks and Very High for factual reporting due to excellent sourcing and abiding by the IFCN Code of Principles for fact-checkers.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: VERY HIGH
Country: South Africa
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2012, Africa Check is a non-profit fact-checking organization set up to promote accuracy in public debate and the media in Africa. They state on their about page, “The goal of our work is to raise the quality of information available to society across the continent.” The current Executive Director is Peter Cunliffe-Jones and Anim van Wyk is the editor.
Africa Check is a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). IFCN signatories abide by a code of principles created by Poynter, which is a series of commitments organizations abide by to promote excellence in fact-checking. Notable IFCN fact-checkers are Politifact, Factcheck.org, and Full Fact.
For details on South African Government and Media, click here: South Africa Government and Media.
Funded by / Ownership
Africa Check is a non-profit organization headquartered in South Africa as a non-profit Trust, registration number IT000728/2015(C). It is registered as Africa Check Foundation in Kenya and operates in Nigeria and Senegal through representative offices. Africa Check lists their most prominent donors, with the top three being: The Shuttleworth Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Luminate Group. Revenue is derived through donations.
Analysis / Bias
In review, Africa Check rates the accuracy of statements on a “6-point scale from correct and mostly correct to unproven, exaggerated or understated, misleading and incorrect.” Headlines often contain minimal and sometimes moderate loaded language such as this: No Minister Cele: SA is not the only country in Africa giving out crime stats. Like any credible fact-checker, all checks are thoroughly sourced to reputable sources of information.
The website also features a Promise Tracker that determines if Politicians and political parties kept their promises. These are rated as Kept, In the Works, and Broken. In general, all information on Africa Check is low-biased and properly sourced.
Failed Fact Checks
- None. They are an IFCN Fact-checker.
Overall, we rate Africa Check Least Biased based on balanced, accurate fact checks and Very High for factual reporting due to excellent sourcing and abiding by the IFCN Code of Principles for fact-checkers. (D. Van Zandt 9/26/2019) Updated (05/06/2024)
Source: https://africacheck.org
Last Updated on May 6, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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