Feitenonly

Feitenonly is a term used in journalism and information science to describe an approach that prioritizes verifiability and factual accuracy over interpretation or opinion. The concept emphasizes presenting statements only when they can be supported by reliable sources, primary data, or official records, and it typically incorporates explicit sourcing, cross-checking, and transparent correction policies.

Origin and scope: The phrase blends Dutch “feiten” (facts) with English “only” and is employed across multilingual media and academic contexts. It is not a single organization but a label used by various projects, platforms, and educators to signal a fact-based workflow.

Practical methods: It involves collecting reliable primary sources, citing all claims, providing data provenance, and making corrections publicly when errors are found. Workflows may include independent verification, archival research, and the use of data dashboards or structured datasets.

Critique and limits: While valued for clarity and accountability, a strict “facts-only” stance can neglect nuance, context, or interpretation that is necessary to understand complex topics. It also depends on definitions of “fact” and on access to high-quality sources.

Impact and examples: In journalism, education, and policy research, feitenonly-inspired practices appear as branding, editorial guidelines, or methodological standards rather than a formal institution. Related concepts include fact-checking, data journalism, verifiability, and transparency.