About Us
WHO WE ARE
Andika Check is a Burundi-based fact-checking initiative working at the forefront of efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation across Burundi, the Great Lakes region, and East Africa. Operating in Great Lakes region and East Africa local languages as well as English and French, the platform brings together professional journalists, linguists, and translators to ensure that verified information is accessible to diverse audiences.
Founded by Melchisedeck Boshirwa in collaboration with American partners following his participation in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin and his professional experience with Planet Forward at The George Washington University, Andika Check combines journalistic expertise with advanced verification tools and AI-assisted research. The initiative is part of Andika Magazine and is designed to strengthen the integrity of information ecosystems in contexts where access to reliable sources remains limited.
Andika Check focuses on verifying public claims, debunking false narratives, and providing evidence-based reporting for individuals, businesses, media organizations, and digital companies. Its work responds to the rapid spread of unverified information, particularly on platforms such as WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, where rumors can quickly gain credibility in the absence of trusted fact-checking mechanisms.
“In Burundi, as well as the Great Lakes region and East Africa, misinformation spreads quickly, often filling the gap left by limited access to independent media and low media literacy,” says Boshirwa. “When false information goes unchecked, it does more than mislead—it can create fear, erode trust, and, in some cases, put lives at risk.”
Guided by its motto, “Writing truth, erasing lies,” Andika Check aims to build public trust in verified information, support media accountability, and contribute to a more informed and resilient society.
OUR IMPACT
At Andika Check, we believe that strengthening democracy and public trust begins with access to verified, accurate, and independent information. As a Burundi-based fact-checking initiative operating across the Great Lakes region and East Africa, we work to counter misinformation and disinformation that affect communities, public debate, and decision-making.
Part of Andika Magazine, Andika Check combines professional journalism, linguistic expertise, digital verification tools, and AI-assisted research to make fact-based information accessible in local languages, as well as in English and French. Our work responds to the rapid spread of false and misleading information on digital platforms where unverified claims can quickly influence public opinion in environments with limited access to reliable information.
Guided by our motto, “Writing truth, erasing lies,” we aim to strengthen media accountability, improve information integrity, and build a more informed and resilient society.
Our Objectives
Through our reporting, training, and public engagement efforts, Andika Check seeks to
Our Focus Areas
Andika Check verifies public claims, investigates misleading narratives, and produces evidence-based reporting on issues that directly affect people’s lives and communities. Our work focuses on:
• Governance, democracy, and public policy
• Elections and political communication
• Health and public safety
• Education and youth-related issues
• Economic and social development
• Environmental and climate-related issues
• Societal and humanitarian issues
• Gender equality and vulnerable groups in Burundi and the region, including women, children, refugees, internally displaced people, marginalized communities, and the Batwa community
• Media literacy and digital misinformation trends across East Africa and the Great Lakes region
False or misleading claims may originate from political actors, public figures, organizations, media outlets, or social media users. Our role is to independently verify these claims and provide the public with reliable, evidence-based information.
How We Measure Impact
We are committed to building sustainable and measurable impact through continuous evaluation and public engagement.
We routinely track our editorial work, audience engagement, partnerships, training programs, and community outreach activities to measure progress and improve our impact over time
We collect feedback, testimonies, media references, and community responses to better understand how fact-checking influences public conversations, counters harmful narratives, and supports accountability
We conduct surveys and support research initiatives to better understand misinformation trends, audience behavior, media consumption patterns, and the effectiveness of fact-checking interventions in local contexts.
Fighting misinformation requires collaboration. Through partnerships, training, research support, and public engagement, your support helps Andika Check continue promoting verified information, media accountability, environmental awareness, social inclusion, and democratic resilience across the region.
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
As an independent fact-checking initiative, Andika Check is committed to transparency, editorial independence, and accountability in all aspects of our work. We believe that public trust depends not only on accurate reporting, but also on openness about how our work is supported.
Andika Check is part of Andika Magazine and operates as a growing Burundi-based fact-checking platform serving Burundi, the Great Lakes region, and East Africa. Our mission is to counter misinformation and disinformation through evidence-based journalism, verification, media literacy, and public engagement
Our Current Support
At this stage, Andika Check operates primarily thanks to donations, volunteer contributions, and the support of individuals who believe in the importance of independent and verified information. As we continue to grow, we are actively seeking partnerships, institutional support, grants, and collaborations that align with our mission and values.
We are especially interested in partnerships that support:
• Independent journalism and fact-checking
• Media and digital literacy
• Youth engagement and civic education
• Environmental and societal reporting
• Research and innovation in verification technologies
• Protection of vulnerable and underrepresented communities, including the Batwa community
• Regional collaboration across the Great Lakes region and East Africa
Editorial Independence
Our editorial decisions and fact-checking conclusions remain fully independent. Supporters, donors, and partners do not influence the outcomes of our investigations, reports, or verification processes.
Building a Sustainable Future
We want Andika Check to remain a long-term and trusted source of verified information in Burundi and across the region. To achieve this, we are working to build a sustainable and diversified support base that allows us to continue expanding our impact while maintaining our independence.
By supporting Andika Check, partners and donors contribute to:
• Strengthening democracy and public accountability
• Expanding access to trustworthy information
• Combating harmful misinformation and disinformation
• Supporting media innovation and fact-checking in Africa
• Empowering communities through media literacy and evidence-based reporting
