Facta is a nonprofit center applying the
scientific method to investigative and data journalism.

Focusing on the Mediterranean region, we experiment with
innovative formats.

OUR PROCESS

Facta’s method, step by step

Clear hypotheses

Inspired by experts and scientists, the needs of local communities, relevant literature and the public discourse, we define clear and explicit hypotheses to be tested.

Data and literature

The investigation begins: we search for literature reviews, relevant publications and reports, open and public data, and original or citizens’ science experiments.

Field reporting

We go into the field to collect stories and experiences, with a particular attention to the ways local communities deal with problems and the solutions they test.

Feedback

Along the way, we ask experts of various scientific backgrounds to give feedback on the process, the data and our hypotheses.

Final publication

In syndication with other media, we publish our final report in an innovative format, experimenting with data, visualization and multimedia.

Our first goal is high quality journalism.

Good journalism benefits from widespread media literacy and thorough data analysis.

That’s why we organize trainings and test digital tools.

Journalism

We work on topics of interest for the Mediterranean countries. We collect data, find relevant literature, and interview experts and communities. We then publish original reporting complemented by all the ingredients used to produce it — data, papers, reports and raw interviews — for you to read and use to change your local reality.

Training

We offer face-to-face and online training courses to help local communities, teachers, researchers, NGOs, policymakers, entrepreneurs and journalists access data and open-source intelligence. We show how to find, analyze and visualize data, as well as how to search and verify online information and user-generated content.

Tools

Facta is a clearinghouse for journalistic digital tools. We search, test, review and curate digital tools useful for different purposes. We compare them and make it easier for you to choose and experiment with them so you don’t have to spend time scavenging the web, looking for the best resources for your work.

ADVISORY BOARD

Jeff JarvisDirector, Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, New York, US

Aron PilhoferJames B. Steele Chair in Journalism Innovation at Temple University, Philadelphia, US

Carola FredianiJournalist and author specialized in cybersecurity and surveillance, author of the newsletter 'Guerre di rete'

ABOUT US

We have worked together for years in multimedia production, data analysis and visualizations.

Our projects are supported by grants and syndicated in national and international media.

ONGOING PROJECTS

Wetlands

A project applying FACTA’s method to explore Nature-Based solutions as a way to fight the climate and biodiversity crisis. Funded by MedWet – the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative.

Climate communication training

A practical training on climate & environment communication for researchers, tour operators, teachers, students. First cycle “P for Planet” funded by CEFA and ARCS.

African women scientists on the move

The stories of five African women scientists who have done research outside of Africa and returned home with the goal of contributing to its development. A journalistic investigation supported by the Journalism Grants of the European Journalism Center. In 2021, it won the Premio Columbine.

FIND OUT MORE

Datajournalism.it

A registered media outlet, a laboratory for data-driven works, with original articles as well as our data work published elsewhere. Founded by Formicablu and Facta associate members and journalists. Online since 2012.

Seedversity

A journey through the world of agro-biodiversity and the experiments and practices of participatory plant breeding in the field. Whit data and video stories. Through Italy, France, Africa and Middle East. By Elisabetta Tola, Marco Boscolo, Giulia Rocco, Lisa Lazzarato. Italian version for Wired IT

A la recherche de semences perdues

A journey through the world of agro-biodiversity and the experiments and practices of participatory plant breeding in the field. Through France, Indonesia, Africa and Iran. By Marco Boscolo, Elisabetta Tola and Giordano Cossu. French version for RFI

Seedcontrol

Seedcontrol – a data and multimedia investigation on the global seed market and the mergers and acquisition of the last 20 years within a large framework that is favoring big corporation. By Elisabetta Tola, Marco Bascolo, Michelle Nel. Huffington Post SA, La Stampa, Eldiario.es, RSI, Il tascabile.

#Safeschools

A data-driven investigation into seismic safety assassment of italian public schools. A 2012 series of +20 articles (not available online anymore, except a description). By Elisabetta Tola and Guido Romeo. On Wired IT.

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Our team

We are building a collaborative network of journalists and organizations
in other Mediterranean countries. Interested in talking? Get in touch!

Elisabetta Tola

Data analysis & Science journalism

Giulia Bonelli

Engagement strategy & Science journalism

Marco Boscolo

Data journalism & Science writing

Francesca Conti

Management & Project development

Lisa Lazzarato

Multimedia & Digital animation

Nicola Nosengo

Tech reporting & Writing

Get in touch!

info@facta.eu

@facta_

Galleria Ugo Bassi 1, 40121 Bologna
Sala Stampa Nazionale, Via Cordusio 4, 20123 Milano
Italy

SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR JOURNALISM