granskning

Granskning is a Swedish noun that denotes the act of examining something closely and critically, often implying thoroughness and scrutiny. The term is used across journalism, public administration, business, and research to describe an in-depth assessment of processes, facts, or performances. It derives from the verb granska, to inspect or scrutinize, and is related to concepts such as revision or audit, though granskning is typically broader and less bound by formal auditing standards.

In investigative journalism, granskning refers to systematic fact-checking and the uncovering of matters of public interest, frequently aimed at exposing wrongdoing or policy effects. In business and government, granskning can denote an internal or external examination of operations, finances, compliance, or quality. A typical granskning involves defining questions, gathering information from documents and sources, verifying facts, analyzing evidence, and producing a report with conclusions and recommendations. Methods include document review, interviews, observation, and data analysis.

Granskning aims to increase accountability, transparency, and learning from identified shortcomings. The results can inform stakeholders, trigger corrective actions, or influence policy decisions. Practical limits include access to information, time constraints, potential biases, and legal or ethical constraints related to privacy and data protection. In Sweden, the freedom of the press and the principle of public access to information support investigative granskning in journalism, while formal audits employ established frameworks and standards.