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About FactReader

There are lots of public claims made in print and broadcast media outlets, in daily conversations and online. And since most of the claims are never refuted or explained in context, they are repeated, recycled and ultimately become widely accepted. FactReader serves as a counterbalance.

FactReader checks and debunks false information by assembling simulated information alongside verified analysis aimed towards transparency. It was launched to provide immediate exposure of false stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers.

Our goal is to simply assist people in ensuring the information they receive from the media and online is accurate and truthful.

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Our Mission

Our mission is multifaceted, we pursue our mission largely through our ability to scrutinize potentially false news trending on social media and other platform around the world by providing a platform where users can verify news stories and at the same time verify and curb the circulation of fake news misinformation.

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Vision

Our Vision is to be the most definitive source for spotting fake news and verifying original news stories across the continent.

We aim to achieve this by confirming that news stories, and other information the general public will receive from the media and online is accurate, truthful and from a reliable source.

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How it works

Each entry is assigned to one of the members of our editorial staff who undertakes the preliminary research and writes the first draft of the verification.

Our research begins with attempting to contact the source of the claim for elaboration and supporting information.

We also contact individuals and organizations who would be knowledgeable about the subject at hand, as well as searching out printed information (news articles, scientific and medical journal articles, books, interview transcripts, statistical sources) with bearing on the topic.

The final product will pass through the hands of at least one editor.

Any piece that is not deemed up to our standards by one or more editors is subject to further revision and review before being released for publication

How we verify

Occupied as individuals nowadays tend to be in general, it is often easier for a writer, a journalist, a public servant, or a businessperson – to take a claim that is made in broad daylight as given. Over the span of our work to date, we have seen this done by partners in the media, by the courts, and by the general population at large.

This is unfortunate, as it allows those who would, wittingly or otherwise, mislead us all to do so with relative impunity.

The vast amount of information available online and the rise of fake news highlights the need for critical thinking and unbiased judgment.

Here are ways we verify our contents:

  • Once we spot a news stories, we check the source of the story and research the credibility of the source?
  • We then look beyond the headline, and check the entire content, many unverified stories use sensationalist or shocking headlines to grab attention.
  • We move on to check other sources - Are other reputable news/media outlets reporting on the story? Are there any sources in the story? If so, we check to confirm their reliability or if they even exist!
  • Next, we check the facts - unverified stories often contain incorrect dates or altered timelines.
  • We then go ahead to edit and compare the different news stories published across various platforms for final collation and verification.
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