What gets fact-checked? How politics shapes the answer in four African countries
This article examines the challenges faced by fact-checkers in Africa as they combat the rapid spread of misinformation in closed mobile messaging groups. It highlights how political tensions and election cycles complicate the efforts of organizations working to verify information.
Why it matters
Understanding the landscape of fact-checking is crucial for maintaining democratic integrity in regions where digital misinformation can trigger real-world violence.
Millions of Africans get their news on mobile phones, often in closed WhatsApp groups where false claims can travel fast. Rutvik Patel/Unsplash What gets fact‑checked? How politics shapes the answer in four African countries Published: October 25, 2026 6.10am GMT https://theconversation.com/what-gets-fact-checked-how-politics-shapes-the-answer-in-four-african-countries-293964 https://theconversation.com/what-gets-fact-checked-how-politics-shapes-the-answer-in-four-african-countries-293964 Link copied Share article Share article
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Every couple of years, the same false stories come back. A claim that an election was rigged before a single vote was cast. An old video of violence, stripped of its date and place, presented as breaking news.
For fact-checkers, this means repeatedly investigating claims they have already debunked, even as new false stories emerge. The work takes time, resources and access to reliable information, which aren’t easily available .
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