FactCheckAfrica

A little while ago, we embarked on a bold mission to revolutionize the way we approach truth and information with myaifactchecker.org. What began as a vision is now turning into a global movement, and I’m beyond excited to share the incredible milestones we’ve reached together. Our adventure started with a spark of curiosity and a commitment to making a difference. We knew that to truly make an impact, we needed to partner with the best and brightest. That’s why we’re thrilled to have joined forces with the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab—a powerhouse in promoting informed discussions and democratic engagement to train teachers on how they cab use AI to teach Media Literacy in classrooms. Next, we took a leap into the Google for Startup Accelerator Africa. This was more than just an opportunity; it was a chance to amplify our impact across the continent(Best wishes to our team who are gonna be Pitching on Thursday 19/09/2024) Our tool quickly gained traction, earning us the title of Best Tool as voted by journalists and newsrooms in Africa during NDI, CDD and Global Affairs Canada events. Knowing that our solution is trusted and valued by those on the front lines of information is incredibly rewarding. We also commissioned a research in collaboration with meta. Our mission also included empowering others to join the fight for truth. We launched a fellowship program that trained 41 passionate journalists, tech enthusiasts, and newsroom professionals on the power of AI. Watching them grow and embrace these new skills has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey. With each step forward, we’ve had the honor of being recognized by industry giants. Joining the Microsoft for Startup Founders Hub and being featured by Meta are testaments to the hard work and innovation of our team. These endorsements have opened new doors and opportunities for us to expand our reach and impact. And now, we’re stepping onto the global stage with full support to present our solution in Canada! This is an exciting new chapter, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible resilience and dedication of our team(Have your flowers, colleagues). Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support fuels our drive to push boundaries and make a difference. #InnovationJourney #GlobalImpact #Teamwork #AI #FactChecking #Empowerment #StartupSuccess

Edo Governorship Election 2024: The Key Issues at Stake! —Mustapha Lawal https://lnkd.in/dt5ZfBaJ

With support of the International Fact-Checking Network and in collaboration with DINABI Nigeria, we successfully carried out a series of grassroots fact-checking sensitizations across #EkitiState Nigeria, reaching diverse audiences, primarily Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), community and religious leaders, market men and women, and senior citizens. Our research revealed that many #PWDs are highly active on social media, where a mix of accurate and misleading information circulates. Given their frequent use of these platforms to stay informed and connected, PWDs play a key role in sharing all kinds of information. This underscores the importance of our intervention, providing them with hands-on fact-checking skills and tools. We began with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Ekiti State, engaging over 300 PWDs from various disability clusters. Participants were introduced to tools like #MyAIFactChecker (myaifactchecker.org), and many actively tested the tool during the session. The PWD community committed to ensuring that only verified information is shared within their networks, sparking real-time fact-checking efforts on their community platforms. At Oja-Oba Market, Oke-Iyinmi, we reached traders, government officials, and local community members with an interactive session featuring music, comedy, and flyers. The session emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing, and participants committed to distributing fact-checking materials to raise awareness and prevent misinformation in the market community. In Ifaki-Ekiti, we sensitized 168 congregants across three churches—RCCG Jubilee House, The Methodist Church, and St. Michael Anglican Church—on the dangers of misinformation. Using live demonstrations and practical examples, we showed participants how to verify news with tools like MyAIFactChecker, and encouraged them to rely on trusted sources and local media for information validation. Our radio talk show on Ayoba FM, which reached an estimated 500,000 listeners, provided a platform to discuss the role of PWDs in combating misinformation. The show highlighted fact-checking tools like #MyAIFactChecker and offered practical steps listeners could take to identify and debunk fake news in their daily lives. Through these engagements, FactCheckAfrica continues to empower communities across Nigeria with the tools and knowledge to combat misinformation and strengthen media literacy. Together, we are building a more informed and responsible society. Cc: Brian Neubert, Deirdre Gonsalves, Angie Drobnic Holan, al tompkins, Eliza Thompson, Corey Holmes, PhD, Eva Sow Ebion, Toyin Akinniyi, Kole Shettima, dapo olorunyomi, Oluseun Onigbinde, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Leanne Jones, Richard Montgomery, Jamie Christoff, Arina Lekht, Ferdi Ferhat Özsoy, Vincent Ryan, Matt Cooke, Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Makmid Kamara, Benjamin Shaw, Joel Straker, Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink, Shiri Sivan.

🎯BIG NEWS: Our Convener, Olasupo Abideen, is representing Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative and FactCheckAfrica at the One Young World Summit 2024 in Montreal, Canada! Abideen is sharing the stage with global changemakers, speaking about our revolutionary AI fact-checking tool (myaifactchecker.org) which is transforming how we tackle misinformation across Africa. As the world grapples with the rapid rise of AI, we are leading the charge to ensure AI is used ethically and responsibly, helping to shape a future where technology empowers truth and combats disinformation. Stay tuned for more updates! #AIForGood #FactCheckAfrica #OYW24

Pushing Boundaries with AI: We’re proud to announce that our innovative fact-checking tool, #MyAIFactChecker, is officially validated by Meta! myaifactchecker.org is revolutionizing how Africans verify online information and fight misinformation. Hear directly from our Convener, Olasupo Abideen, as he shares how we’re making a lasting impact in the fight against fake news in Nigeria and West Africa. Cc: AI at Meta, Meta for Work, Meta for Developers, Meta for Business, Vincent Ryan, Matt Cooke, Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Brian Neubert, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Christina Nemr, Eliza Thompson, Stevie Hamilton, Patricia Watts, Corey Holmes, PhD, Eva Sow Ebion, Justin Arenstein. #MetaLlama #AIForAfrica #MetaAfrica #CombatMisinformation

Flashback to our one-day Fact-Checking and Digital Rights conference at The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti! It was an incredible experience connecting with future media leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to uphold ethical and AI-driven journalism in Nigeria. 👉 Check out the video for a deeper look at how the event unfolded! Cc: Brian Neubert, Deirdre Gonsalves, Angie Drobnic Holan, Al Tompkins, Eliza Thompson, Corey Holmes, PhD, Eva Sow Ebion, Toyin Akinniyi, Kole Shettima, dapo olorunyomi, Oluseun Onigbinde, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Matthew Ayibakuro, PhD, Idongesit Udoh, Leanne Jones, Richard Montgomery, Mathilde Ouellet, Oluwa-Demilade Kosemani, Jamie Christoff, Arina Lekht, Ferdi Ferhat Özsoy, Vincent Ryan, Matt Cooke, Keyzom Ngodup Massally. #tbt #digitalliteracy #factchecking #adoekiti

FactCheckAfrica Launches Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Media Literacy for Educators https://lnkd.in/dGmAKGAh

In partnership with Stanford University, we successfully held a Train-the-Trainer workshop on Media Literacy for 25 selected secondary school teachers in #KwaraState Nigeria, yesterday. The workshop empowered these educators with the tools to enhance media literacy and fact-checking skills among students. With misinformation becoming a critical issue, especially in vulnerable communities, equipping teachers with these skills is a crucial step toward building informed future generations. Program Highlights: ~Teachers were trained on identifying and combating misinformation in their classrooms. ~Interactive sessions focused on digital literacy, responsible media consumption, and fact-checking methods. ~Practical exercises helped participants create lesson plans to integrate fact-checking into their curricula. This initiative is part of our broader mission to foster critical thinking and media literacy at the grassroots level. We are proud to take this step toward creating a more informed society, starting with those who shape young minds. Cc: Brian Neubert, Eliza Thompson, Corey Holmes, PhD, Eva Sow Ebion, Toyin Akinniyi, Kole Shettima, dapo olorunyomi, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Matthew Ayibakuro, PhD, Idongesit Udoh, Leanne Jones, Richard Montgomery, Mathilde Ouellet, Oluwa-Demilade Kosemani, Jamie Christoff, Arina Lekht.

Report: Ghana’s Information Space Faces Emerging Threats Ahead of #GeneralElections –Oluwafemi Oluwaseye https://lnkd.in/dCyfnMFT

In July, our team trained over 1000 students on Fact-Checking & Digital Rights at The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. We're thrilled to see the event featured in #TheCommunicator - the training publication of the Department of Mass Communication at the school. We remain committed to empowering the next generation with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.