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In this edition of #BehindTheFacts, we speak with Jackson C. Clay Jr., a Liberian fact-checker, who walks us through his investigation into two widely circulated claims made by political figure Martin K. N. Kollie. He shares his initial assumptions, the surprising discoveries, and the lessons learned while fact-checking claims about a factory in Burkina Faso and budgetary allocations in Liberia.
Can you briefly summarise the two claims made by Martin K. N. Kollie that you investigated in this article?
One claim compared governance processes in two African countries and the other concerned budgetary allocations to specific individuals and entities within the government. We were able to verify both claims using clear, evidence-based sources.
What prompted you to fact-check these specific claims? Were they widely circulated, potentially misleading, or of significant public interest in Liberia?
It was important to check these claims for two reasons. First, they were made by Martin Kollie, a well-known political figure with influence. Second, the manner and confidence with which the claims were made. In addition, how widely they were being shared on Facebook suggested they could easily mislead the public and dampen trust in the government.
What were your initial assumptions or expectations about the accuracy of these claims before you began your investigation?
Initially, I assumed the claims were true, mainly because of the source. Kollie was instrumental in helping bring the current government to power, so I didn’t feel the need to question his credibility initially. However, as mixed reactions emerged online, I felt the need to verify for myself.
Were there any difficulties in locating or understanding the budgetary information?
It was very easy to understand the budgetary information because the government had only spent less than two years in power.
Did you encounter any overall challenges in researching these claims, considering the geographical distance between Liberia and Burkina Faso?
Yes, there were some challenges, particularly in tracking down sources related to the factory project in Burkina Faso. It took me over a day to confirm some details, especially from the websites that reported on the factory’s opening. But eventually, I was able to piece things together.
What are the potential consequences of the public believing the misleading claim about the Burkina Faso factory?
If believed, such a claim could create the impression that the Liberian government is failing to deliver on its promises, especially the promise of job creation, which is a major part of its campaign message.
What do you hope Liberian readers will take away from fact-checking these claims?
I hope people understand the importance of verifying information further, regardless of who’s sharing it. Trusting familiar voices is easy, but truth should always come first.
What did you learn from fact-checking these particular claims?
I learned the value of digging deeper. Even when information seems credible on the surface, it’s important to look beyond appearances and check the facts thoroughly.
