informatifs

Informatifs is a term used in media studies and journalism to describe concise informational pieces designed to provide essential background on a topic. They aim to present verified facts in a neutral tone to help audiences understand complex issues without requiring extensive prior knowledge. The term is most commonly associated with French-speaking media but has been adopted in some international contexts as a generic label for explainers.

Typical features include a clear lead, a concise background, a presentation of key facts or data, and explicit sourcing. Visuals such as diagrams or timelines are common, and the content is usually written to be accessible to a general audience. Formats vary from short written articles and online explainer pages to short videos, slides, or interactive graphics.

Informatifs are used by newsrooms, educational platforms, and institutional communications to support informed decision-making. They often accompany broader reporting, serve as standalone primers, or help users navigate policy, science, or technology topics. Because brevity can lead to oversimplification, good informatifs emphasize accuracy, transparency about uncertainty, and explicit attribution. Critical voices caution against underrepresenting nuance or omitting minority perspectives.

See also explainer articles, explainer videos, data journalism, educational communications.