kildebevis

Kildebevis is a term used in Danish and Norwegian journalism and research to describe material that substantiates the origin, credibility, or content of a claim attributed to a source. It refers to evidence that links information to a particular source and helps readers assess trustworthiness. In practice, kildebevis supports statements by showing where the information came from and how it can be verified.

Etymology reflects its meaning: "kilde" means source and "bevis" means proof or evidence. The concept is closely tied to source criticism (kildekritik), which evaluates the reliability, bias, and provenance of sources. Kildebevis can be produced by primary documents or data that corroborate what a source claims, as well as by records that demonstrate authorship, date, or context.

Materials commonly considered kildebevis include official documents (government records, court filings), primary data (original datasets, interviews, emails), audio or video recordings, official correspondence, receipts, and publicly accessible records or metadata. Even when sources are anonymous, kildebevis remains essential, though it may require corroboration from multiple independent materials and sources to establish credibility.

When presenting kildebevis, writers should clearly indicate what the material shows, how it can be accessed, and any limitations or uncertainties. The goal is transparency: readers should be able to trace the claim to its supporting materials and assess their reliability. Kildebevis thus plays a key role in maintaining accountability and credibility in information work.