Building a Culture of Verification: Hot in Juba CheckDesk’s Journey Through Fact-Checking Mentorship

By Makur Majeng

In a digital environment where information spreads rapidly, distinguishing facts from misinformation has become an increasingly important responsibility for newsrooms.

In South Sudan, where social media is a major source of news and public discussion, misleading claims can quickly create confusion, shape perceptions and deepen existing tensions.

Recognising this challenge, Hot in Juba joined the CheckDesk incubation programme supported by Code for Africa through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA) Fellowship in February 2026.

The initiative provided an opportunity to strengthen our newsroom’s verification skills, establish a more structured approach to fact-checking and contribute to the fight against misinformation in South Sudan.

As the programme approaches its conclusion, the experience has offered important lessons about the practice of fact-checking, the value of editorial collaboration and the work required to build a lasting culture of verification.

Strengthening our approach to verification

Through the programme, Hot in Juba CheckDesk investigated claims circulating online, including misleading images, health-related misinformation and documents presented as official government communications.

These investigations demonstrated that misinformation takes different forms. Some claims rely on manipulated images, while others use fabricated documents or misleading interpretations of public events. Addressing them requires more than identifying suspicious content. It requires examining sources, gathering evidence, consulting relevant experts where possible, and ensuring that published conclusions are supported by verifiable information.

One of our most important lessons has been understanding the limits of available evidence. Not every claim can be conclusively verified, and some investigations must be abandoned when the evidence is insufficient.

Although this can be frustrating after considerable time and effort, maintaining credibility means being willing to acknowledge uncertainty rather than publish conclusions that cannot be defended.

This discipline has strengthened our understanding of fact-checking as a careful, evidence-led process rather than simply labelling online claims as true or false.

Learning through mentorship and editorial collaboration

The support provided through Code for Africa and mentorship from PesaCheck has been an important part of our journey. Training and editorial feedback helped us improve how we investigate claims, document sources, assess evidence and communicate findings clearly.

The editorial review process also challenged us to think more critically about the language used in our headlines, the accuracy of our verdicts and the strength of the evidence supporting our conclusions. Over time, we became more conscious of the need to distinguish between what an investigation establishes and what remains uncertain.

These lessons have extended beyond individual articles. They have helped reinforce the importance of consistent verification standards, proper documentation and collaboration within a newsroom.

Fact-checking is rarely a solitary exercise. It benefits from different perspectives, local knowledge, editorial scrutiny and the willingness to reconsider an initial conclusion when new evidence emerges.

Challenges in the South Sudanese context

Despite the progress made, fact-checking in South Sudan comes with practical challenges. Accessing reliable information can be difficult, particularly when investigations require confirmation from public officials or institutions that may not respond promptly. Some claims circulate without clear original sources, while others involve sensitive political, health or community issues that demand additional care.

The availability of suitable claims for verification can also fluctuate. A claim may attract widespread attention online but still lack enough independently verifiable evidence to support a publishable fact-check.

Language and local context present further considerations. In a country with many languages and diverse communities, understanding a claim sometimes requires additional contextual knowledge or assistance from people familiar with the relevant subject.

These experiences have reinforced the importance of stronger access to public information, responsive institutions, reliable sources and continued investment in journalism skills. They have also reminded us that fact-checking requires patience, sound judgement and a willingness to explain the limits of what is known.

Beyond debunking misinformation

Publishing fact-checks is an important part of our work, but building a culture of verification requires a broader effort. Audiences need to understand not only whether a particular claim is misleading, but also how to question information, examine its source and verify it before sharing it.

As a digital newsroom with a substantial social media audience, Hot in Juba has an opportunity to make verification more accessible to the public. We can use our platforms to explain how fact-checking works, highlight the risks of sharing unverified claims and encourage more responsible engagement with information online.

This responsibility is especially important when misinformation concerns public institutions, health or community relations. In such cases, accurate reporting and transparent explanations can help audiences make better-informed decisions.

We also recognise that the fight against misinformation cannot rest on newsrooms alone. Public institutions, civil society organisations, technology platforms and citizens all have roles to play in promoting access to reliable information and responsible information sharing.

Looking ahead

One of the most valuable outcomes of this programme has been the opportunity to strengthen fact-checking within Hot in Juba and build the skills needed to continue this work.

As the incubation programme draws to a close, our hope is to sustain and expand these efforts. With more than 700,000 followers on Facebook, Hot in Juba has the potential to reach a large audience with evidence-based reporting and practical media literacy messages.

Sustaining the CheckDesk will require continued editorial commitment, collaboration, resources and opportunities for professional development. It will also require making verification an integral part of newsroom practice rather than treating it as a temporary project activity.

We are grateful to Code for Africa, PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance for their support, mentorship and contribution to this journey.

For Hot in Juba CheckDesk, this is not the end of the work. It is an opportunity to build on what we have learned, strengthen public trust through responsible journalism and contribute to a South Sudan where people are better equipped to question, verify and critically assess the information they encounter.

**Building a culture of verification takes time, but every well-supported fact-check is a step towards making reliable information an essential part of public life. **

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