AFP Factuel
AFP fact-checks and explanations of investigations to find evidence behind a claim or viral image.
Check an image you received
Search the words in its caption, then match the date and location examined in the investigation to the message received. Keep the evidence link, not just the verdict.
Check first: An AI detector alone is insufficient to conclude.
Compare this resource with other directory records →
Do several copies of one news report provide several pieces of evidence?
- Republication
- Identify a claim’s shared origin.
- Verification
- Retrieve evidence and its context.
- Isolate one factual claim with its date and context.
- Follow links to the original documents or people providing the information.
- Compare origins: two articles repeating one wire report are not two independent investigations.
Fictional example: three articles all cite company A’s press release. The notebook contains one shared origin, not three confirmations. Seek another source able to check the fact.
Your useful record: Exact claim, passage, original document and limits of the evidence.
Checking one claim does not validate every other sentence in an article.
Editorial method informed by AFP Factuel — Comment nous travaillons. Documentation consulted on . Examples are fictional exercises, not results from a live service test.
Count origins, not repetitions
AFP’s handbook calls for at least two independent sources per fact-check, in addition to any denials.
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Repetition | A second article may cite the same origin. |
| Denial | A response from the party concerned differs from independent evidence. |
| Another fact-check | AFP does not treat it as a primary source. |
| Out-of-context photo | An authentic image may be assigned to the wrong event. Checking the caption does not establish that no event occurred. |
| Confirmation bias | Look for evidence against the initial hypothesis before writing a conclusion. |
Try the reasoning
Illustrative situation. Three pages all cite one press release. How many origins have you found?
Read the explanation
One for this claim. Find an independent document or account and record exactly what it confirms.
Documentation for the table : AFP Factuel — Manuel du fact-checking · . The exercise is an editorial example.
Read the investigation with its evidence
AFP Factuel explains its verification steps and sources. The team requires at least two independent sources for the central claim. Match the precise allegation and date to what you need to check.
- Purpose
- Fact verification, distinct from opinions.
- Evidence
- Links, documents and investigation context.
- Limit
- An AI detector alone is insufficient to conclude.
Does a verdict on an image cover every caption?
No. Find the caption, location and date examined in the investigation.
Official documentation
Documentation consulted on .
Practical methods for this resource
- Distinguish independent sources from repeated claimsTrace several articles back to their original evidence. Use a checklist and fictional examples to separate repetition from independent corroboration.
- Verify a viral claim before sharing itTrace the original statement, date and supporting evidence instead of counting reposts.
Editorial selection, without website certification. Read our method.