Africa Check, a non-profit fact checking organisation that seeks to promote accuracy in public debate and the media in Africa, is inviting entries from journalists, journalism students, and professional fact-checkers across the continent for the 2024 African Fact-Checking Awards, the longest-running programme honouring fact-checking journalism in African media.
In 2023, the programme received 236 entries from 24 African countries, a number expected to increase in 2024. Hlalani Gumpo, Africa Check’s head of outreach and impact, highlights the growing importance of fact-checking in maintaining accuracy and combating misinformation across Africa. The awards recognize individuals committed to upholding transparency and truthfulness in public discourse.
Entries for the 2024 awards must have been published or broadcast between July 1, 2023, and July 14, 2024, concluding that a claim about an important African topic is misleading or false. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The awards feature three categories: Fact-Check of the Year by a working journalist; Fact-Check of the Year by a professional fact-checker; and Fact-Check of the Year by a student journalist. Winners in the working journalist and professional fact-checker categories will each receive US$3,000, with runners-up receiving $1,500. The student journalist category winner will receive $2,000, and the runner-up $1,000.
Entries for the African Fact-Checking Awards close at midnight GMT on July 14, 2024, and to qualify, entries must adhere to specific criteria outlined in the Terms and Conditions. They must be the original work of the individual or team identified in the entry form as the author, and expose a claim on an important topic relevant to Africa as misleading or wrong.
Submission must be made via the official entry form, with no alternative means allowed. While entries can be published or broadcast in any language, entry forms must be completed in either English or French, with non-English or French entries requiring a written translation. Entrants are required to confirm their authorship of the work and accept responsibility for any disputes about authorship. Furthermore, reports published by Africa Check are not eligible for submission.
Candidates can only enter one category per year but may submit multiple reports. Winners will have their prize money sent to a nominated bank account. At the shortlisting stage, a jury representative may seek clarification on some points. Entrants found to be unethical will be disqualified and must agree to media interviews about the awards if they win.
Regarding Category Specifics, the Fact-Check of the Year by a working journalist is open only to journalists who do not work for fact-checking organizations, and entries must first be published or broadcast by a media or independent fact-checking organization based in Africa.
The Fact-Check of the Year by a professional fact-checker category is open to journalists, fact-checkers, or researchers working for fact-checking organizations, with entries also required to be first published or broadcast by a media or independent fact-checking organization based in Africa.
For the Fact-Check of the Year by a student journalist category, eligibility extends to African students under 35 years old by July 14, 2024, who have been enrolled at a tertiary institution during the eligibility period. This category excludes part-time students working as professional journalists or fact-checkers. Entries must be original and may be published in a blog, student publication, or by a media or independent fact-checking organization based in Africa.
For more information and terms and conditions, visit the Africa Check awards page. Media inquiries should be directed to Hlalani Gumpo at hlalani@africacheck.org.
