feitenkader

Feitenkader is a Dutch term that combines feiten (facts) and kader (frame or context). It refers to the set of verifiable facts and data points that form the basis for understanding, discussing, or making decisions about a specific issue. The begrip is used in journalism, public administration, and policy analysis to establish a common factual baseline.

A feitenkader can include figures, dates, locations, sources, and documented events. It is descriptive rather than prescriptive: it does not express a position, but provides the information layout that underpins interpretation and argument. Because facts can evolve, a feitenkader is dynamic and may be updated as new evidence becomes available or as consensus shifts.

In practice, media outlets may present a feitenkader alongside a report, listing key facts and sources to ground the story in verifiable information. In policy debates, proponents and critics may refer to the feitenkader to anchor discussions in shared data, while challenging parts of the kader when data are contested or incomplete. The concept also supports evidence-based decision-making and risk assessment by clarifying what is known and what remains uncertain.

Limitations include the potential for selection bias in choosing which facts to include and the possibility that new information can alter the kader. As such, the feitenkader should be transparent about sources and methods to maintain credibility.

See also: feitenrelaas, framing, evidence, source criticism.