As 2024 draws to a close, we take you on a journey through the year’s highlights. From celebrating International Fact-Checking Day to unpacking the critical role of fact-checking during major elections, we reflect on the moments that defined the fight against misinformation. Gain behind-the-scenes insights into the South African election coalition and hear how fact-checkers collaborated ahead of the Namibia and Ghana elections.

We also tackle essential online security tips to protect yourself from cyber threats and explore the dual-edged potential of AI in combating false information. Plus, we recap the groundbreaking discussions from the Africa Facts Summit, celebrating milestones and lessons learned.

Thank you for being part of our journey! We look forward to bringing you more expert insights, fact-checking tools, and engaging conversations in 2025. Join us as we look back—and ahead—on what’s next in the world of fact-checking.

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Resources

United against misinformation: Coalition efforts in the South African elections

Real411 is a platform that provides a way for people to combat digital disinformation by reporting it, safe from intimidation and harassment.

Africa Check has been involved in a number of coalitions to combat election misinformation this year, such as in Ghana, Namibia, Rwanda, and South Africa. The broad-based coalition aims to help voters critically engage with information and make informed decisions in the voting booth.

First Draft News also has a nifty guide to prebunking, which will help inoculate people against misinformation.

Securing the Truth: Online Safety for Fact-Checkers

If you would like to test your password strength, you can use Bitwarden. To check if your email address has been in a data breach, use the website Have I Been Pwned.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) options

1. Nord VPN
2. Proton VPN

Two-factor authentication options

1. Google Authenticator

In this episode of Behind the Facts, we sit down with Catherine Adeniyi, a researcher at Africa Check, to discuss the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). We look at how AI is playing out in fact-checking organisations and newsrooms, and how it can work to the advantage of fact-checkers and journalists. From machine learning tools to deep fakes, Catherine shares key information on how AI influences the spread of misinformation online and gives helpful tips on how to spot AI-generated content. If you are a journalist, a fact-checker or just a curious media consumer, this insightful episode is for you.

Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the latest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts

Featured guest

Catherine Adeniyi, Researcher, Africa Check

Resources

For content cross-checking and scanning: Full Fact

Special thanks to

This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check.

Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.

In this episode of Behind the Facts, we sit down with Carina van Wyk, Head of Training at Africa Check, to unpack the essentials of online and digital security. From securing your email to using VPNs and password managers, Carina shares crucial tips for staying safe online—especially in the high-stakes world of fact-checking. We also hear from fact checkers across Africa, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Namibia, about the skills they've gained through digital security training. Whether you're a fact-checker or just curious about online safety, this episode has something for you.

Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the latest episode is released: https://africacheck.info/behind-the-facts

Featured guests

Carina van Wyk, Head of Training, Africa Check

Lanre Olagunju, OSINT expert, Nigeria

Abel Wabella, Executive director, Inform Africa

Frederico Links, Project coordinator, Namibia Fact Check

Resources

For testing your password strength: https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/

For checking whether your email address has been in a data breach: https://haveibeenpwned.com/

Virtual Private Network (VPN) options:

• https://nordvpn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlhm7BAdUS61iHkMZW7vTQomMEMcnu0JTW9cEz_AHzeKnDLUFy
• 
  
• https://protonvpn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop7xicRae77V5Sw6-qkE2WZvZ1cQHuk-g2fREESLGpoBKuo-daR

Two-factor authentication options:

• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en_ZA&pli=1
• 
  
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.azure.authenticator&hl=en_ZA
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beemdevelopment.aegis

Special thanks to

This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung, Tshiamo Mononyane, and Laura Kapelari. Your show host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check.

Africa Check, the continent’s first independent fact-checking organisation, helps you separate fact from fiction.