Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — [10/05/2025]
Inform Africa’s fact-checking initiative, HaqCheck, has officially joined the ranks of globally recognized fact-checking organizations as a Verified Signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles — a major milestone in its mission to strengthen information integrity in Ethiopia and beyond.

The recognition, awarded by the IFCN at the Poynter Institute, follows a rigorous external assessment process evaluating an organization’s commitment to nonpartisanship, transparency, methodology, funding disclosure, and open corrections.

With this status, HaqCheck joins more than 180 fact-checking organizations worldwide that adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards in combating misinformation and promoting accountability in public discourse.

“This milestone reflects the dedication of our team to uphold the values of transparency, fairness, and factual accuracy in Ethiopia’s fast-evolving information ecosystem,” said Abel Wabella, Founder and Executive Director of Inform Africa. “Becoming an IFCN Verified Signatory is both an honor and a responsibility — it connects us to a global network while reinforcing our local impact.”

Access to Global Networks and Opportunities

According to the IFCN Verified Signatory Onboarding Handbook, signatories gain access to a range of benefits designed to strengthen collaboration and capacity-building within the international fact-checking community. These include:

  • Use of the IFCN Verified Signatory Badge, a mark of credibility and compliance.
  • Participation in the IFCN Verified Signatories listserv and Slack workspace, connecting HaqCheck’s team with peers worldwide.
  • Eligibility for IFCN grants and training programs supporting innovation and sustainability in fact-checking.
  • Priority participation in GlobalFact, the world’s largest annual fact-checking conference.
  • Regular updates through the IFCN’s Factually newsletter, featuring global trends and research in information integrity.

These opportunities will enable HaqCheck to strengthen its multilingual fact-checking work in Amharic, Afan Oromo, Somali, and Tigrinya, while contributing to broader efforts to combat disinformation in Africa.

Commitment to Ethical Standards

The IFCN Code of Principles serves as a global benchmark for credibility and trustworthiness in fact-checking. As a signatory, HaqCheck has pledged to maintain continuous transparency in its funding, organizational structure, and methodology — as well as to apply open and honest corrections when necessary.

Signatories are required to renew their verification annually to ensure ongoing compliance and accountability. Those with five successful renewals may be eligible for biennial assessments, reflecting sustained commitment to the code’s standards.

A Global Standard, Local Impact

Since its establishment under Inform Africa, HaqCheck has published hundreds of fact-checks addressing misinformation on politics, public health, and social issues across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The IFCN verification elevates this mission, reinforcing HaqCheck’s role as a trusted source for evidence-based journalism and a leader in promoting media literacy.

“Our journey as an IFCN signatory begins a new chapter of growth and collaboration,” added Abel Wabella. “We will continue to expand our capacity, strengthen our methodologies, and build partnerships that amplify the fight against misinformation across languages and borders.”

As part of its next steps, HaqCheck will prominently display the IFCN Verified Signatory badge on its website (haqcheck.org) to affirm its verified status and strengthen audience trust.