Methodology
How we choose the claims we check, find and test the evidence, and reach a rating.
How we choose the claims we check, find and test the evidence, and reach a rating.
Somali Fact Check checks claims that matter to people in Somalia: statements by officials and public figures, reports in the media, and posts that spread widely online. This page explains how we choose what to check, how we research it and how we reach a rating.
We choose claims using three questions. Can it be checked against evidence? How many people has it reached? Could it cause harm, affect public safety or influence important decisions? We check claims from all sides, including the federal government, federal member states, opposition figures and organisations we work with. We do not check opinions or predictions, although we may check the facts behind them.
No fact-check is published on the word of one person. Each one is written by a fact-checker and reviewed by a second member of the team, who checks every source, the reasoning and the rating. Where the evidence is limited or unclear, we say so.
Each fact-check receives one rating, and the rating must match the conclusion in the article. Explainers and analysis do not carry a rating. If new evidence appears or we find a mistake, we update the article and add a note at the top that explains what changed and when.
Every fact-check goes through the same eight steps, whoever made the claim.
01
We pick claims that can be checked, have reached many people and could cause harm or affect decisions. Readers can suggest claims through our Submit a Claim form.
02
We record what was said, who said it, where and when. We keep a screenshot or archived copy in case the original is deleted.
03
We start with primary sources: official documents, data, original recordings and statements. Key facts are confirmed by at least two independent sources where possible.
04
We ask the person or organisation behind the claim for their evidence and record whether they replied. Late replies are added to the article.
05
We use open-source methods such as reverse image search, metadata and location checks to find where a photo or video really comes from.
06
A second member of the team checks every source, the reasoning and the rating before anything is published.
07
Each fact-check gets one rating that matches its conclusion. We link every source so readers can check our work, and stamp images of false claims so they cannot be reshared as genuine.
08
If we get something wrong, we fix it and add a dated note at the top of the article. We do not delete articles to hide mistakes.