Explainer: Using TinEye; Essential for Fact Checkers

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TinEye is an image search and recognition company with experts in computer vision, pattern recognition, neural networks and machine learning with a mission to make images searchable.

By #defyhatenow Cameroon

Social media has made it easier to share memories, pictures, and communication across distances. Even the most basic social media sites have enabled users to upload photos, share information about themselves and make friends. 

According to a publication on Social Media today; Social media dates back as far as the early 1840s.  The first recognizable social media site, “Six Degrees”, was created in 1997 by Andrew Weinreich. It enabled users to upload a profile and make friends with other users. 

In 1999, the first blogging sites became popular, creating a social media sensation that’s still popular to this day. As years have passed, an increasing number of social media platforms and sites such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn among others have come up. 

These sites have attracted billions of users for diverse reasons. With the increase of user numbers on these platforms there has been a rise in the propagation of misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and Hate Speech. 

When the term “fake news” comes up, people think of social media posts with rather implausible stories. While posts shared on social media are the most visible aspect of it, there is so much more to fake news than exaggerated article titles on social media feeds. Given that “fake news” is often spread with the use of texts, images, videos, animated graphics, fact checkers have resorted to using open source platforms for verification to debunk “fake news”. 

Some of these open source platforms include; TinEye, Yandex, RevEye, Reverse Image Search, Google Reverse Image Search, Jeffrey’s Exif Viewer, Google Advanced Image search, Forensically among others. 

We will delve into dissecting TinEye.

Functions, Features and Methodology

TinEye is an image search and recognition company with experts in computer vision, pattern recognition, neural networks and machine learning with a mission to make images searchable.

It has a feature known as Compare Feature that lets you quickly switch back and forth between your search and result image by highlighting any differences between the two images. It’s especially useful to see how images have been cropped, resized, skewed or manipulated.Today, 

TinEye’s image recognition is used by millions of people and powers billions of searches across a wide range of industries. TinEye is privately owned, profitable and its revenues are generated by its clients. Using TinEye, one can search for detailed information on an image or perform a reverse image search. This can be done by uploading an image or searching by URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the address of a World Wide Web page. You can also simply drag and drop your images in the search box to start your search.TinEye constantly crawls the web and adds images to its index. 

Today, the TinEye index has over 41.9 billion images. To check about an image, you can upload it from your computer or mobile device by clicking the upload button to locate the image you wish to search for. To search by URL, simply copy and paste an image URL address into the search box. One can as well drag an image from a tab in his/her browser and drop it in a browser tab where TinEye is open.Lastly, it’s possible to simply Copy and Paste an image from your clipboard.

How to use Tineye to search for an image

You can search for an image with TinEye in three ways:

  • by drag and drop
  • by uploading an image
  • by giving TinEye a URL (this can be a page URL or an image URL)

The easiest way to search with TinEye is to drag and drop an image onto the TinEye webpage in your browser.

To search by uploading an image, just click the upload button (blue arrow in a circle) to select from your computer or device the image you’d like to search with.

You can search with a web address (URL) by simply copying the link into the search box on Tineye. 

Below are some YouTube videos on how to use TinEye in identifying a doctored image.

How to use Tineye: https://www.youtube.com/embed/XemlN-B7w38?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&rel=0

How to use Tineye identifying a doctored image: https://www.youtube.com/embed/I3Sbihz4vpI?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&rel=0 

Most images found online are protected by copyright and should you like to use any image found through TinEye, you will need to find the image owner and contact them directly. 

Unless an image is identified as a public domain image, you need to ensure that you get in touch with any image copyright holder and secure the rights to use the image you have found. 

Unfortunately, in South Sudan, because of the weak legal system in the country, image copyrights are greatly abused as individuals, institutions and other reputable bodies extract people’s images from the internet and use them without their consent.

TinEye can be used to find out where an image came from or get more information about it and research or track the appearance of an image online. One can also find higher resolution versions of an image, locate web pages that make use of an image, discover modified or edited versions of an image, debunk an image or help with attribution.

Access wise, there is a paid and free version of TinEye. The former allows for virtually unlimited search by prepaid bundles while the latter gives room for one to do 100 searches per day and up to 300 per week.

Conclusion:

TinEye is a peculiar and unique search engine in that this technology takes an image file and goes through the internet scanning it with the help of crawlers and making sure it looks for matched images or the source of the image as inserted or based on the option one has input in the search bar. Given the fact that it possesses a Reverse Image Search option or Reverse Search Engine, it is used to find plagiarised work, lost connections, suspicious characters and much more. 

Recommendations To Journalists:

  • TinEye is an effective open source image search engine. Journalists can therefore use it amidst others mentioned above to be able to minimize the spread of images of doubtful origin.

To Tineye:

  • Tineye should find a way to alert its clients when their content is being used.
  • There should be sensitization on the application and its usage so that many more people can easily use the app.
  • Some images are not copyright protected and there are difficulties tracing the originator. Tineye may find a way to protect these images.
  • Tineye should make it possible to search images greater than 10mb.

Data Story: 14.69% drop in the number of pupils registered for final primary education examinations this year

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The previous year, 64,138 candidates enrolled for the exams, but only 62,362 sat, comprising 32,549 males and 20,693 females. This year, 53,220 candidates; 31,232 males, and 21,988 females registered.

By Adut Maguil

Last week, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction stated that 53,220 candidates, 31,232 men, and 21,988 females, had registered for the next certificate of primary education examinations, which will begin on February 14, 2022.

However, as compared to the previous year, when 64,138 candidates enrolled for the exams, 62,362 sat for the exams, comprising 32,549 males and 20,693 females, this year’s number shows a 14.69 percent decrease in the number of candidates.

Male candidates declined by 1,317 from 32,549 in the 2020/21 exams, while female candidates grew by 1,295 from 20,692 the previous year.

YearMalesFemalesTotal
2020/2132,54920,69362,362
2021/2231,23221,98853,220
Table Showing Number of Candidates Registered for the Primary Education Examination in the two most recent years

Security issues in some parts of the country, the detrimental impact of COVID-19, which resulted in protracted school closures, and the destructive floods, according to Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction are some of the reasons for the low number of candidates.

About the Authors:

Adut Maguil, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: 2021 Secondary School Enrolment in 6 Counties of Western Equatoria

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Western Equatoria State has an enrolment of 6,382 students in 31 schools across six counties according to the Ministry of General Education and Instruction there.

By Justin Anthony

The State Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Western Equatoria State says in a data obtained by 211 Check that 6,382 students returned to secondary schools in the area after schools reopened in April 2021 following closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statistics show enrolment in the counties of Yambio, Nzara, Mvolo, Ibba, Maridi and Mundri . Tambura has been excluded due to the conflict that occurred there.

CountyNo. of SchoolsBoysGirlsTotal
Yambio12235315073860
Nzara3125143268
Mvolo14273115
Ibba2622486
Maridi108895601449
Mundri3409195604
Total31388025026382
Table showing secondary school enrolment in 6 counties of Western Equatoria in 2021

The data also shows that at least 320 students are known to have dropped out of school due to factors such as financial constraints, early and unintended pregnancies, marriages, among other reasons.

CountyNo. of SchoolsBoys DroppedGirls DroppedTotal
Yambio125275127
Nzara3101626
Mvolo181018
Ibba24812
Maridi104363106
Mundri3172037
Total31134192326
Table showing number of students who have dropped out of secondary school in 6 counties of Western Equatoria in 2021

About the Authors:

Justin Anthony, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Top 14 Facebook Pages in 2021211 Check

Top 14 Leading South Sudanese Facebook Pages in 2021

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Here’s our list of 14 very interactive South Sudanese pages on Facebook. Together, all these pages have nearly five million followers! Some of them represent South Sudanese-famous personalities, mainstream and alternative media.

By Adut Maguil

Facebook is one of the most liked social media platform today. It has had a grip over young and mature persons for over 12 years. Millions of people have access to the Internet most of whom use Facebook accounts to do various things.

Facebook is a great way to stay connected and get to know who is in your social circle but it is also an easy way to keep tabs on your favorite celebrities and big public figures. You can connect with their regular posts by simply following their page on Facebook to receive instant updates if you’re a true fan.

These profiles post photos and videos about varied things. Some of them are updates about their products and business as a marketing option. Some others upload photos of their loved ones, funny podcasts, food recipes and so on. In the end, the most important thing is to keep viewers entertained

People use social media, such as Facebook, all the time. Maybe to see what their friends are doing, to read the news. Many famous persons, brands and even football teams have fan pages in this platform.

In this article, we will review the top 14 South Sudanese Facebook pages that have had huge interaction in 2021.

Quick Glance at the 14 leading South Sudanese pages on Facebook by category:

Category 1: Mainstream Media

  1. Eye Radio

Total Interactions = 1,198,277 | Owned Total Views = 4,124,572

Total Posts = 3,253 | Page Followers = 155,363

Page Follower Growth % = 81.10%

2. Radio Tamazuj

Total Interactions = 212,291 | Owned Total Views = 2,837,308

Total Posts = 1,580 | Page Followers = 156,145

Page Follower Growth % = 21.92%

3. Radio Miraya

Total Interactions = 211,151 | Owned Total Views = 5,487

Total Posts = 1,229 | Page Followers = 76,076

Page Follower Growth % = 19.50%

4. SSBC News

Total Interactions = 167,932 | Owned Total Views = 5,060,430

Total Posts = 332 | Page Followers = 110,535

Page Follower Growth % = 40.42%

5. Advance Digital

Total Interactions = 166,731 | Owned Total Views = 2,573,452

Total Posts = 1,575 | Page Followers = 88,540

Page Follower Growth % = 364.80%

6. Sudan Tribune

Total Interactions = 94,891 | Total Posts = 335

Page Followers = 107,796 | Page Follower Growth % = 17.69%

7. 88.4 City FM, Juba

Total Interactions = 79,565  | Owned Total Views = 34,928

Total Posts = 314 | Page Followers = 46,138

Page Follower Growth % = 23.46%

8. Radio Bakhita

Total Interactions = 73,826 | Owned Total Views = 1,057,870

Total Posts = 510 | Page Followers = 33,411

Page Follower Growth % = 37.30%

9. Nyamilepedia

Total Interactions = 56,478 | Owned Total Views = 42,497

Total Posts = 1,623 | Page Followers = 28,210

Page Follower Growth % = 7.70%

10. Sudans Post

Total Interactions = 49,995 | Owned Total Views = 225,370

Total Posts = 2,869  | Page Followers = 15,537

Page Follower Growth % = 38.06%

11. CLASSIC FM 92.4

Total Interactions = 31,759 | Owned Total Views = 7,715

Total Posts = 1,141 | Page Followers = 16,871

Page Follower Growth % = 24.03%

12. Radio One 87.9 FM South Sudan

Total Interactions = 25,298 | Owned Total Views = 114,258

Total Posts = 689 | Page Followers = 15,838

Page Follower Growth % = 63.84%

13. The City Review Digital

Total Interactions = 25,034 | Owned Total Views = 145

Total Posts = 2,192 | Page Followers = 2,476

Page Follower Growth % = 141.09%

14. Capital Fm 89.0 Juba

Total Interactions = 23,234 | Owned Total Views = 81,607

Total Posts = 627 | Page Followers = 16,503

Page Follower Growth % = 67.22%

Category 2: Alternative Media

  1. Visit South Sudan           

Total Interactions = 1,824,937 | Owned Total Views = 391,335     

Total Posts = 3,134 | Page Followers = 93,662     

Page Follower Growth % = 286.94%

2. Juba Eye             

Total Interactions = 1,429,127 | Owned Total Views = 8,270,305 

Total Posts = 2,766 | Page Followers = 203,164   

Page Follower Growth % = 29.33%

3. Hot in Juba        

Total Interactions = 1,088,369 | Owned Total Views = 2,988,615 

Total Posts = 2,672 | Page Followers = 218,367   

Page Follower Growth % = 15.61%

4. South Sudan bro             

Total Interactions = 867,263 | Owned Total Views = 141,738        

Total Posts = 2,793 | Page Followers = 53,871     

Page Follower Growth % = 51.17%

5. Juba TV

Total Interactions = 722,758 | Owned Total Views = 1,188,929     

Total Posts = 2,618 | Page Followers = 283,302   

Page Follower Growth % = 6.53%

6. Smart Family TV              

Total Interactions = 605,813 | Owned Total Views = 261,591        

Total Posts = 1,032 | Page Followers = 75,653     

Page Follower Growth % = 47.19%

7. Bentiu tv             

Total Interactions = 494,683 | Owned Total Views = 18,339,809  

Total Posts = 985 | Page Followers = 146,604       

Page Follower Growth % = 185.11%

8. Junub celebz    

Total Interactions = 359,321 | Owned Total Views = 1,328,825     

Total Posts = 1,360 | Page Followers = 56,911     

Page Follower Growth % = 188.08%

9. Northern Corridor Morning Post              

Total Interactions = 339,523 | Owned Total Views = 126,705        

Total Posts = 2,705 | Page Followers = 99,434     

Page Follower Growth % = 12.83%

10. SSDGuna.com  

Total Interactions = 332,072 | Owned Total Views = 393,520        

Total Posts = 2,006 | Page Followers = 44,751     

Page Follower Growth % = 125.13%

11. Twic Media Reports      

Total Interactions = 311,736 | Owned Total Views = 2,569,410     

Total Posts = 1,707 | Page Followers = 46,679     

Page Follower Growth % = 104.57%

12. Southsudan TMZ             

Total Interactions = 232,938 | Owned Total Views = 2,193,968     

Total Posts = 1,611 | Page Followers = 87,377     

Page Follower Growth % = 35.93%

13. South Sudan Anataban 

Total Interactions = 198,892 | Owned Total Views = 16,497           

Total Posts = 778 | Page Followers = 47,607         

Page Follower Growth % = 52.69%

14. South Sudan Digital       

Total Interactions = 156,284 | Owned Total Views = 1,199,502     

Total Posts = 805 | Page Followers = 70,301         

Page Follower Growth % = 37.88%

Category 3: Personalities

  1. Penton Keah     

Total Interactions = 4,220,859 | Owned Total Views = 129,989,670            

Total Posts = 109 | Followers = 663,919 

Page Follower Growth % = 797.26%

2. Slate Nation      

Total Interactions = 1,430,606 | Owned Total Views = 298,239     

Total Posts = 408 | Followers = 280,918

Page Follower Growth % = 62.20%

3. John Frog

Total Interactions = 1,235,283 | Owned Total Views = 667,266

Total Posts = 602 | Followers = 112,354

Page Follower Growth % = 157.81%

4. Silver X

Total Interactions = 1,195,292 | Owned Total Views = 1,516,678 

Total Posts = 1,241 | Followers = 190,148

Page Follower Growth % = 210.86%

5. Lady Kola

Total Interactions = 1,029,422 | Owned Total Views = 10,668,611

Total Posts = 624 | Followers = 181,548 

Page Follower Growth % = 710.59%

6. Achai Wiir          

Total Interactions = 1,003,176 | Owned Total Views = 3,635,829

Total Posts = 265 | Followers = 250,560 

Page Follower Growth % = 65.07%

7. Dynamq              

Total Interactions = 933,976 | Owned Total Views = 693,812

Total Posts = 974 | Followers = 75,564    

Page Follower Growth % = 28.89%

8. K-Denk

Total Interactions = 879,271 | Owned Total Views = 378,618

Total Posts = 1,732 | Followers = 173,572

Page Follower Growth % = 16.08%

9. ADAWAY            

Total Interactions = 811,505 | Owned Total Views = 74,104

Total Posts = 300 | Followers = 104,485 

Page Follower Growth % = 175.18%

10. Dj-Cent Mr No Rest        

Total Interactions = 511,346 | Owned Total Views = 318,166        

Total Posts = 990 | Followers = 40,742    

Page Follower Growth % = 401.44%

11. Promota Kay Two           

Total Interactions = 494,042 | Owned Total Views = 1,240,353     

Total Posts = 767 | Followers = 134,775 

Page Follower Growth % = 118.23%

12. Max Jay

Total Interactions = 485,231 | Owned Total Views = 320,163        

Total Posts = 1,492 | Followers = 54,150

Page Follower Growth % = 192.80%

13. Hardlife Avenue Stars   

Total Interactions = 477,757 | Owned Total Views = 2,837,994     

Total Posts = 903 | Followers = 73,561    

Page Follower Growth % = 677.93%

14. Mary Boyoi       

Total Interactions = 426,878 | Owned Total Views = 663,600        

Total Posts = 256 | Followers = 98,774    

Page Follower Growth % = 1562.86%

15. Ajak Deng Chiengkou   

Total Interactions = 373,882 | Owned Total Views = 4,944,076     

Total Posts = 593 | Followers = 238,363 

Page Follower Growth % = 27.32%

There’s our list of 14 very interactive South Sudanese pages on Facebook. Have you ever thought deeply about this? When describing those leading 15 Facebook pages a normal user will see how important they are in the country to be on the top list. Together, all those pages have nearly five million followers! Some of them represent South Sudanese-famous personalities, mainstream and alternative media.

The number of likes and followers of an account indicates the interest or popularity of a specific person, brand, or product and that is why likes have way much importance on social media platforms like Facebook as they play a very vital role in building up a reputation on the Internet. Similarly, the popularity level on Facebook is also calculated by the number of fan base and interactions. Knowing about the leading pages on Facebook in the country is impressive.

About the Authors:

Adut Maguil, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: Are South Sudanese Artists Benefiting From YouTube? An Analysis of 08 Channels

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By David Uku

South Sudan faces the challenge of copyright–ownership of the song, songwriter, and video production as creative works, which is one of the most serious issues confronting and impeding the development of the music industry in South Sudan as a new country in East Africa with vast cultural diversity.

Furthermore, like most artists’ performances in the music era, many fans do not pay their Artist for the effort they put in as musicians, and the Artists complain.

In other parts of the world, an artist’s financial success is often derived from revenue generated by their fans attending their show, downloading the video, or viewing their YouTube channel, because YouTube channels use algorithms, and if more people suggest the song, the view will rise as the song becomes top searches and suggested on YouTube, and money will flow in.

How do South Sudanese artists benefit from YouTube? 211 Check used the Social blade to analyze the artists’ songs on YouTube to determine how much money they make from their YouTube channel activities.

 SILVER X

The Best Male Artist of the year 2018 and Eye Radio Awards 2019 and he give himself the nickname Music machine as the most produced music in the country, he created his channel on 23 July 2016 until now his channel reached subscribers (2.95K) and videos views (159,034) and has uploaded (85) videos on his channel.

On 14-09-2021 Silver X published a new video song on YouTube called (Monia), the video was shot-in Uganda- Kampala in high quality because of the lack of data we didn’t know the cost of video producer but according to the social blade that we used to analysis revenue of each video or song on YouTube.

That makes it easier for us to see how much money the song Monia from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (13.6k) Views, (330) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($7-$54) according to the social blade analysis.

 LADY KOLA

Lady Kola, who creates most of the beautiful things that go into making wonderful music, has music. She is known as Music Sankara and is also a DJ and Model; she started her channel on September 25, 2019 and has since gained 9.55K subscribers, 69,690 video views, and uploaded (12) videos.

According to the social blade analysis, on 10-09-2021, the Queen of Shamashin Lady Kola published a new video song on YouTube called (Toronto), and how much money the song Toronto from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (11.3k) views, (79) comments on YouTube, and the revenue is only ($6-$45).

MARY BOYOI,

Mary Boyoi always said “I am taking South Sudan music to international level kalas”  she created her channel on 05 Jan 2012 until now his channel reached subscribers (25.8K) and videos views (3,252,954) and uploaded (51) videos on his channels.

On 16-07-2021 Mary Boyoi as a first Lady published a new video song on YouTube called (Marry me kalas), from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (23.2k) Views, (46) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($12-$93) according to the social blade analysis.

DJ CENT MR NO REST,

MR NO REST, he Named himself like that because he works all-time at music to produce more work as he always said DJ cent Mr No Rest; he creates his channel on 08th March 2017 until now his channel reach subscribers (2.54K) and videos views (158,213) and upload (52) videos on his channels.

On 19-09-2021 DJ Cent Mr No Rest publish a new video song on YouTube called (Binia Wau), from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (7.4k) Views, (44) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($4-$30) according to the social blade analysis.

Hardlife Avenue Stars,

“Hardlife Avenue” is a reference to the difficult time and struggles of life, the music is popular in Afro-pop, Rap and Vocal. As the greatest music group  in the country, they created their channel on 06 Sept 2016 until now they have subscribers (7.31K) and video views (1,223,169) and uploaded (85) videos on their channels.

On 18-07-2021 Hardlife Avenue Stars published a new video song on YouTube called (Ana Yau Bi Arif), which is the hit song on Social Media this year, the first day it was published until now the results show it has (88.6k) Views, (123) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($44-$354) according to the social blade analysis.

Dynamq,

The founder of Ruka Music and Ruka film and River Nile Crocodile Sudanese Son, besides he is a Singer, Songwriter, sound producer, dancehall and professional DJ. He created his channel on 05 09 2007 until now his channel reached subscribers (11.7K) and videos views (5,457,922) and uploaded (21) videos on his channel.

On 11-01-2013 Dynamq the African DJ that represents South Sudan and Africa in the JAMROCK REGGAE CRUISE SOUND annual festival happening every year in Jamaica, the festival is about love and unity he published a video song on YouTube called (Those days in Nairobi), from the first day it published until now the results show it has (1.1M) Views, (774) comments on YouTube and the revenue are only ($55-$44) according to the social blade analysis.

 Emmanuel Jal,

The author of “War Child: A Child Soldier’s Story”  in his music he mixes Rap in Arabic, English, Dinka and Nuer. The symbolism of unity as music guides him to express ideas of peace and unity. He created his channel on 26 07 2009 until now his channel reached subscribers (9.38K) and videos views (1643,418) and uploaded (110) videos on his channels.

On 25-11-2021 Emmanuel Jal publish a new video song on YouTube called Hey Mama, from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (72.9k) Views, (145) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($36-$291) according to the social blade analysis.

 Yaba Angelosi,

The founder of Assida Records and Assida Films, his music mixes catchy African traditional sounds with Western dance music using modern instrumentation and arrangements, he plays guitar, bass, piano and drums above all he is a Singer, Songwriter, sound producer, Film director, and entertainer he created his channel on 15 March 2009 until now his channel gained subscribers (5.36K) and videos views (2,292,498) and uploaded (52) videos on his channels.

On 14-01-2021 DJ Yaba Angelosi published a new video song on YouTube called Something about You, from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (127.8k) Views, (138) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($64-$511) according to the social blade analysis.

Conclusion:

211 Check analysis notes that all South Sudanese artists that have channels on YouTube put countries other than South Sudan. For example, Silver X, Hardlife Avenue Stars and Mary Boyoi registered Kenya as the country and Lady Kola created her channel in Uganda, only DJ Cent Mr No Rest didn’t show the Country, Dynamq and Yaba Angelosi created their channels in the United State of America and Emmanuel Jal Create his channel in Canada.

Even the Channel Type; Only Yaba Angelosi and Mary Boyoi have Channel Type for Music, Emmanuel Jal his Channel Type is Film and Dynamq his channel Type is Entertainment and the rest have no Channel Type. This report does not highlight all artists with channels on YouTube but the view of this report analysis is to let the artists know that they have much work to do on their YouTube channels so as to generate more money and more followers; they need to be more flexible on sharing data about producing video so as to make work better to compare revenue generated by Channel and budget of the production.

Most artists should also sign up for the YouTube Partner Programme. This requires them to have at least 1,000 subscribers and have a minimum of 4,000 video watch hours in 12 months so that they can draw in a bigger audience and increase their streams.

About the Authors:

David Uku, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

President Kiir has not lifted a partial lockdown211 Check

Fact-Check: President Kiir has not lifted the COVID-19 partial lockdown imposed this week

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By 211 Check Desk

A Facebook post purporting that President Salva Kiir has lifted a partial lockdown imposed by the chair of the National Taskforce on COVID-19, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol earlier this week is FALSE

Misleading Post as shared on Facebook

The post, first chaired by South Sudan Eye, a page with over 47,000 followers, didn’t cite any credible source of the report.

Investigation by 211 Check states that there’s no official known Communication from the office of the President lifting a lockdown.

This week, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Vice President for Service Cluster who also chairs the National Taskforce on COVID-19, announced restrictions intended to curb the spread of COVID-19 following a surge in positive cases in recent days. The partial lockdown is valid till 10th January.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked at a post claiming that President Salva Kiir has lifted an imposed partial lockdown and finds it to be FALSE

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Data Story: 90 Killed by a Strange Disease in Fangak County

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By Deng Ghai Deng

Authorities in South Sudan’s Jonglei state are calling for urgent intervention as people and livestock die in alarming numbers after showing symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and general body weakness in Fangak County

Fangak County Commissioner Boutrus Biel says since early November, dozens of people – mostly children and the elderly – have died after experiencing symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and heart pain. Biel says about 90 people including 44 children, 27 elderly and 8 young people have so far died from the disease.

Table Showing Number of People Killed By the Strange Disease

CategoryNumber of Deaths
Children44
Adults08
Elderly27
Total90

“People are dying in Fangak County. There was sudden death and it started on the 2nd of October within the new Fangak town which is the headquarters of the county and also within the surrounding villages of Fangak County. Any time a person dies especially the children, the young ones and the elderly people. So far, we have lost 90 people, the record is that over 90 people have died. We are wondering whether it’s the impact of an oil explosion or something else.”

Table Showing Deaths and Recoveries

Deaths90
Recoveries30
Total Infections120

Commissioner Biel says cattle, sheep and goats are also dying in the area. He says the area has been submerged in floodwaters for some time and local officials suspect the deaths could be linked to toxic water pollution caused by an oil spill.

“The cattle and goats have been dying because of water. You could see thing they are all grassing in water. Some people are taking their cattle to Malakal- the dry area- some are going to Pigi County in the site of cannel; some have gone across the river to Shuluk land and as far as Ruweng administrative areas. These are challenging times now for Fangak County, cattle are really dying and when there are no cattle it becomes difficult because that is the livelihood of the people.”

Commissioner Biel says he wrote to Jonglei state Governor Denay Jock Chagor about the deaths in Fangak, asking for an urgent intervention.

Responding to the calls, the Director-General of Preventive Health Services at the Ministry of Health, says a team of health professionals has already been organized and has been dispatched to the area.

“One important recommendation is to deploy a national response team to Fangak to investigate the reported increased morbidity and mortality in the area,” Dr. Romunu told reporters.

According to Dr. Joseph Francis Wamala, a Senior Epidemiologist at the W.H.O, the team will collect samples from the environment and those affected.

“There is actually a lack of a full range for all the other basic needs. So these teams will have the national response team and they will collect samples from those who are affected,” Dr. Wamala said.

Tuong Majok, the acting governor of Jonglei state says he notified national authorities about the situation in Fangak County after visiting the area with WHO and UNMISS officials.

“A team of World Health Organization, UNMISS and other agencies plus myself went to the location where the outbreak has taken place. It came to the surface of the water like oil and that’s why people are saying it is oil. We have reported this to the national government; the state has no experts. We reported it to the ministry of petroleum and the ministry of environment so that they can go to the location and see with their own eyes what the cause of this eruption is.” Majok said

Acting governor Majok says an investigation must be carried out immediately to avert a catastrophe. ASCOM is an oil and gas corporation from Moldova that operated in the area but left the country after the start of the conflict in December, 2013. Majok says an environmental impact assessment has not been conducted since the petroleum firm stopped operations in Fangak County more than seven years ago.

About the Authors:

Deng Ghai Deng, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three-month data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Number of Street Children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal per County211 Check

Data Story: More than 500 children continue to roam in the streets of Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State

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By Ngor Deng Matem

As the number of children living on the streets in South Sudan remains constant, a Data Speaks program researched and investigated the lives of these children in NBGs-Aweil.

According to the data gathered, the state’s ministry of gender and social welfare has confirmed the presence of 513 street children.

Joseph Madut Mou, the state Director of Social Welfare says the data was gathered during an assessment they made in February 2021. The majority of street children, according to Madut, are orphans, most of whom between the ages of six and fifteen.

The assessment was carried out with the goal of identifying the number of street children and the reasons why they are subjected to street life. Some of the identified children were collected and transported from Aweil town to a distance of more than 50 kilometers in Aweil West county (Malek Mayar village) for transformation through studies and child care services.

Table Showing Number of Street Children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal per County

CountyMaleFemaleTotal
Aweil Town Municipality 213104317
Aweil South County343266
Aweil East County211031
Aweil West County231235
Aweil North County331346
Aweil Center County130518
Total337176513
Table Showing Number of Street Children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal per County

The 105 children aged six to fifteen were collected in four locations: Naivasha, Sikadiet, Aweil Madina, and Maper Market. A local nonprofit organization, Community Empowerment & Peacebuilding Organization, is helping these 105 children.

Mr. Wol Wieu, CEO of Community Empowerment & Peacebuilding Organization (CEBO), stated that the 105 children housed at their center face enormous challenges. 

Table Showing Supported and Unsupported Street Children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State

Number of Supported Children105
Number of Unsupported Children408
Total Number of Street Children513
Table Showing Supported and Unsupported Street Children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State

Children are accommodated and enrolled in a community school called Ayat West Primary school.

Ayat primary school was already hosting  a total of 450 school learners that came from their homes.

During the assessment, Mr. Wol said that these children were registered by Save the children organization with no support rendered.

Challenges facing street children in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal

  • Lack of clean drinking water, bedding (children sleep on local mats)
  • Lack of shelters/accommodation (Children are accommodated in local grass thatched houses)
  • Lack of scholastic materials such as exercise and text books, uniforms among others.

Management & Operationalization Of Child Care Center:

16 teachers are being employed but 8 of them are volunteers. Also two social workers were also employed to take charge of children.

Reasons That Force Children To Street

Some of the common reasons that push children to the streets include: death of parents, displacement of people due to violence, abject poverty and lack of parental care or support

Recommendations:

The following suggestions can help combat the issue of street children: Ending violence and child abuse requires effective advocacy that is supported by training.

Agricultural empowerment in order to promote farming and independence

Child protection organizations must advocate for funding to support organizations that implement projects for children in order to provide education and better health care.

About the Authors:

Ngor Deng Matem, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

The-rate-of-COVID-19-Vaccines-Uptake-April-Dec-2021-

Data Story: Vaccine Uptake Spikes Among Women

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The increase in the number of women turning for vaccines has been attributed to a change of perception on the vaccine. At least two in five women encourage taking vaccines saying it is just as safe as immunization vaccines given to children.

By Charles Lotara

When South Sudan received its first and second batches of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine, more than half of the people who turned up for the jab were males, accounting for 61 percent of the total population inoculated at the inception of the vaccine rollout.

On the contrary, only 38.5 percent of women turned up for the jab. The gap was enormous thanks to misinformation about vaccines that they cause female infertility.

In September this year, the Ministry of Health made a courtesy call on women to defy misinformation and turn up for the jab.

“I want to make a call to women out there that Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca are safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 prevention,” said Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health at the time.

“I want to encourage you not to listen to rumors out there that the vaccines cause infertility; the vaccines do not cause infertility,” she added.

Her call did not make an impact on women to take particularly the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, the supply of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has seen a change of perception on COVID-19 vaccines.

Data obtained from the Ministry of Health reveals that 43.7 percent of those who are fully vaccinated between 8th October and 18th November are women. Men accounted for 56.3 percent during this phase of vaccine inoculation.

The updated action report from the Ministry of Health shows that as of 25th November, the percentage of men turning up for vaccines tumbled further with 54.5% getting the jab while the number of women inoculated increased by 1.8 percent.

On 6th December, the Ministry of Health reported that the vaccine uptake among women rose to 46.3 percent compared to 53.7 percent of their male counterparts.

The total number of people fully vaccinated to date is 139,364 with 33,006 receiving two AstraZeneca vaccine doses, and 106,358 with single-dose J&J vaccine.

In the first week of December, the government announced that vaccination facilities in Juba had run out of the J&J doses while inoculation centres at state levels were yet to finish their shares.

With the government receiving additional 168,000 doses of the J&J vaccine on 10th December, statistics indicate that the percentage of women getting vaccinated could surpass that of men.

Change of perception

The increase in the number of women turning for vaccines has been attributed to a change of perception on the vaccine. At least two in five women encourage taking vaccines saying it is just as safe as immunization vaccines given to children.

“I see nothing wrong with taking it. It’s funny that there are parents who take their children for immunization but they don’t want to get vaccinated themselves. These vaccines come from the same manufacturer,” Ayot Nyibol said from the vaccination center. She’s one of the women who turned up for the vaccine.

About the Authors:

Charles Lotara, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Fistula Treatment in Aweil By Year211 Check

Data Story: Statistics of Obstetric Fistula Treatment in Aweil from 2019 to 2021

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By Ngor Deng Matem

This story looks into the trends of obstetric fistula treatment of the local population in Aweil, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State from 2019 to 2021.

The treatment exercises were carried out by the Ministry of Health and its partners including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

In 2019, 41 cases of fistula from Aweil were successfully treated, 57 cases were successfully treated in 2020, and 10 cases were successfully treated in 2021.

Only 10 of the 17 patients registered in 2021 received treatment, with the remaining seven not receiving treatment due to a lack of financial support to travel from villages. One hundred and eight patients have been treated in total since 2019.

Fistula Treatment in Aweil By Year

YearNumber of Patients Treated
201941
202057
202110
Table Showing Fistula Treatment in Aweil By Year

Total Cases Treated and Not Treated Since 2019

Total Cases Treated108
Total Cases Not Treated07
Total Cases Registered115
Table Showing Total Cases Treated and Not Treated Since 2019

What is obstetric fistula?

Obstetric Fistula is a severe birth injury that causes a hole between the birth canal, bladder, and rectum. The infection is caused by both prolonged labor without medical care and early pregnancy. The conditions typically affect patients, particularly women, because they promote uncontrolled urine and faeces.

Challenges:

The following are some of the setbacks in the fight against fistula in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal; patients claim that they are neglected by relatives, particularly husbands, due to the smell. Inadequate financial support to cater for or facilitate logistics during the rare treatment that takes place in Wau. Lack of doctors in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, as well as low patient turnout due to a lack of mobilization.

Way forward:

To ensure the success of the fight against fistula, the following recommendations are being made: The Ministry of Health should encourage pregnant women to visit the hospital on a regular basis for medical checks, and child marriage should be discouraged because the majority of cases involve women who marry at a young age.

The government of Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal should plan to establish treatment centers within the state to avoid the need to travel from Aweil to Wau, and the public has urged the Ministry of Health to increase awareness of the campaign to end child marriage.

About the Authors:

Ngor Deng Matem at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a two-month and half data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for two months and half (October to Mid December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information