MultiFact Check (MFC) is an independent fact-checking organization dedicated to investigating claims that spread misinformation and disinformation, and publishing fact-checked reports to inform the public. Our work is geographically focused, with a primary emphasis on nations in the Horn of Africa and their diaspora communities. With a presence in various regions of Africa, Europe, and North America, MFC leverages a team of professionals with diverse expertise to deploy best practices in journalism and scholarship, identifying, investigating, and publishing accurate facts.
Facts are Distinct from Opinions
While perspectives vary, we maintain that facts are grounded in objectivity. They can be tested, proven, and validated through evidence. This differs from subjective interpretations or personal convictions.
The Challenge of Modern Information
Today’s digital landscape spreads content rapidly across decentralized networks. This horizontal distribution blurs the lines between facts, falsehoods, assertions, and beliefs. As a result, the credibility of information sources is eroding.
Influence and Its Consequences
Powerful figures, whether in politics, business, activism, or the military, promote agendas to serve their goals. Too often, their narratives distort reality, prioritizing self-interest over integrity. Such actions harm public trust and social cohesion.
The Gap in Accountability
Fact-checking initiatives have multiplied globally. Yet, few operate without bias or external influence. Even fewer major media entities have dedicated, impartial systems to scrutinize the claims of leaders and prominent voices.
At MultiFact Check, we adhere to a set of core principles that guide our work.
Unbiased Integrity
We evaluate all assertions with equal rigor, free from favoritism or agenda. Our process prioritizes balance, examining claims based on their significance rather than their source. We reject partisan influence and disclose any contextual factors that could affect perception.
Verifiable Evidence
Every conclusion we draw is grounded in credible, traceable data. We cite original materials whenever possible, empowering others to validate our work. While we handle sensitive cases with care, transparency remains our default. We also acknowledge competing interests to uphold objectivity.
Open Stewardship
Our funding sources, governance structure, and team backgrounds are publicly documented to prevent undue influence. Our organizational structure and decision-making processes are clearly outlined, ensuring accessibility for scrutiny. We foster open dialogue with the public, recognizing it as a fundamental aspect of our operations.
Methodological Rigor
A defined framework governs how we choose, investigate, and present findings. We engage claimants directly when appropriate and welcome external suggestions, while clarifying the boundaries of actionable fact-checking.
Accountable Evolution
We correct mistakes promptly and conspicuously, with policies in place to ensure amendments reach original audiences. We actively solict feedback on adherence to these principles, reinforcing our commitment to growth and trust.
At MultiFact Check, we combat misinformation and promote accountability through evidence-based fact-checking, research, and public education. Our primary goal is to cultivate a community of nonpartisan fact-checkers across the Horn of Africa, empowering citizens with the skills to distinguish fact from fiction. Through claim verification, media literacy initiatives, and transparent data managment via our Data Bank, we promote informed decision-making and bolster democratic discourse.
Fact-checking and Research
We rigorously verify statements from politicians, activists, and influential figures, as well as documents from governmental and non-governmental institutions. By cross-referencing original sources, we expose false, misleading, or unproven claims circulating in media. Our fact-checking reports set the standard for accuracy, providing the public and policymakers with reliable information to counter narratives contravening the truth.
Beyond daily verification, we conduct pioneering research to analyze misinformation trends, measure the impact of fact-checking, and develop innovative solutions tailored to the Horn of Africa’s unique challenges. This research not only informs our strategies but also serves as a vital resource for journalists, academics, and civil society organizations working to safeguard information integrity.
Media Literacy and Public Awareness
To counter misinformation at its roots, we host media literacy webinars, equipping young people with critical thinking skills to navigate digital content responsibly. These sessions cover digital citizenship, source evaluation, and ethical media practices, empowering the next generation to consume and share information wisely.
Our public awareness campaigns amplify these efforts through partnerships with educators, media outlets, and grassroots organizations. By deploying clear messaging across multiple platforms, we educate young people and communities on identifying disinformation tactics, verifying sources, and resisting manipulation. These campaigns are regularly evaluated and adapted to address emerging threats, ensuring maximum reach and effectiveness in an ever-evolving information landscape.
Data Bank for Accountability
Our continuously updated Data Bank serves as a centralized hub for a comprehensive archive tracking the careers of influential figures in politics, economics, and civil society. By documenting their backgrounds and actions, we provide the public the factual information of public figures, both in the government and outside, whose decisions and actions have profound social consequences.
This resource is more than a repository; it’s a tool for systemic change. Journalists use it to investigate claims, researchers rely on it for data-driven insights, and citizens access it to verify information independently. We believe that this Data Bank is an investment in long-term institutional memory, ensuring that misinformation can be swiftly countered with credible, accessible evidence.
How We Began
MultiFact Check was founded in 2021 as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to combating misinformation in the Horn of Africa. With support from individual donors, we began our work by scrutinizing misleading statements from Ethiopian authorities and debunking false narratives about the country’s civil conflicts. In the same year, we established our operational base in Maryland, from which we have addressed a range of critical issues, including clarifying COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and countering war-related propaganda on social media.
Our Work and Reach
With a dedicated team of eight professionals, so far, we have fact-checked over 50 high-impact claims and published 54 comprehensive reports in four languages: English, Amharic, Afaan-Oromo, and Tigrinya. Our pioneering Databank now documents the professional histories of 100 influential figures across politics, economics, and civil society. We’ve trained journalists in advanced verification techniques and reached over one million users through our digital platforms. These efforts reflect our commitment to replacing misinformation with evidence-based knowledge, fostering informed public discourse, and strengthening democratic resilience.
Our Team
While headquartered in the United States, our strength lies in our regional presence. Our Addis Ababa team includes four journalists and a data analyst who provide on-the-ground insights, while our managing editor ensures editorial excellence and coordination across all fact-checking operations. This multinational structure allows us to maintain both global standards and local relevance.
Our Impact
Every verified claim and trained journalist creates measurable change. By exposing falsehoods, we empower citizens to make informed decisions. Through media literacy initiatives, we’re building societal resistance to misinformation. Our Data Bank preserves crucial historical records, enabling future accountability. These interconnected efforts are transforming how information is consumed and shared across the region, making truth accessible, power transparent, and democracy stronger.
Our Supporters
Private donors provided the foundation for our initial work, enabling our launch and early operations. This website’s redesign and refresh was funded by the European Union, through the #defyhatenow initiative implemented by r0g_agency from December 31, 2023 to December 18, 2024. Their belief in our mission has been instrumental in expanding our reach and impact.
Join Our Mission
The battle against misinformation requires sustained effort and resources. Your support enables us to enhance our fact-checking capabilities, expand media literacy programs, and maintain our vital Data Bank. Together, we can build a Horn of Africa where truth prevails, institutions are accountable, and citizens are empowered.
𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌: Shedding light on the truth in an age of misinformation.