onoffenbaren

Onoffenbaren is a term used in media studies and political communication to describe a recurring pattern in which information is alternately made public and concealed. The word is a Dutch neologism that blends the on/off imagery of visibility with the verb openbaren, meaning to reveal. It is employed to analyze how organizations and governments manage transparency through staged or intermittent disclosures rather than continuous openness.

Etymology and usage context: The term appears in discussions of transparency, governance, and strategic communication. It suggests that openness is not simply a binary state but a fluctuating process shaped by timing, audience, and risk considerations. As a heuristic, onoffenbaren helps researchers describe how actors control when and what information reaches the public.

Core characteristics: A typical onoffenbaren pattern involves cycles of disclosure and concealment, often tied to strategic aims such as managing reputational risk, agenda setting, or regulatory pressure. Disclosures may be partial, selective, or framed to emphasize positive aspects while downplaying negatives. The cycles can occur over days, weeks, or longer periods, and they influence public perception, trust, and accountability.

Implications and critique: Critics argue that repeated onoffenbaren erodes long-term trust when audiences detect manipulation or inconsistency. Proponents may view it as a pragmatic tool for balancing transparency with social or security considerations. The concept is used to examine media coverage, corporate reporting, and governmental communication strategies without endorsing any particular practice.

See also: transparency, information disclosure, selective disclosure, media strategy, governance communication.