When reading certain posts on Facebook, I get the impression that people are confusing “fact,” “statement,” and “opinion.” What is presented as a fact is actually just a statement—or even a judgment. Obviously, these terms can cause a lot of confusion for everyone, including me. So here are the main differences:
- A fact is verifiable and independent of what we think about it.
- An opinion is a value judgment.
- An interpretation is a conclusion drawn from facts.
- A statement (in the common sense) is a statement in which we assert that something is true.
In my articles, I usually include evidence to make the facts verifiable: screenshots, photos, URLs to official documents, or audio recordings. Of course, I interpret the facts, draw my own conclusions, and express my opinion based on the facts I have gathered.
That is why I clearly state in each article that it is an opinion piece. Under no circumstances has this been omitted or hidden from readers. Moreover, it is important to remember the definition of an opinion piece.
Definition of an opinion piece
An opinion piece is a piece of writing in which the author takes a stance on a subject, argues their point with selected reasons and evidence, and seeks to convince their readers. Its primary purpose is not to report facts in a neutral manner, but to interpret them and judge their significance.
Some “facts” stated on Facebook
I have noticed that comments on Facebook rarely cite references (specific links, documents, audio) that allow facts to be verified. Hence this short practical guide to testing your own posts:
Quick reference
- Fact (verifiable): “Regulation 2024-765 was adopted on January 13, 2025.”
- Opinion (judgment): “This is a bad regulation.”
- Interpretation (conclusion): “The hasty adoption reduced consultation.”
How to state a fact
- Measurable? (date, figure, location, official text)
- Verifiable elsewhere? (link to document/website, recording, original photo)
- Non-evaluative? (no judgmental adjectives: “scandalous,” “ridiculous,” etc.)
Fact: [what happened], source: [exact link].
Example: I assert that the mayor states that soccer goals are important even though they are unusable, with a photo and audio recording of the council meeting as supporting evidence.
Interpretation and opinion: Governance issue. Image is more important than results.
Figures: [value] in [year], source: [link].
Example: I assert that the minutes have not been updated since March 2025, with the screenshot of the city council minutes webpage taken on the day of publication as supporting evidence.
Interpretation and opinion: Obstruction of citizen participation.
Quote: “…” (p. X of the document), link.
Example: It is alleged that a municipal employee made defamatory remarks about Mr. Marchesseault, with an audio recording and two witness statements as supporting evidence.
Interpretation and opinion: Impartiality called into question, breach of professional ethics.
What is not a fact (on Facebook)
- Rumors (“I heard that…”), screenshots without context, truncated excerpts, unsourced montages.
- Vague aggregates (“many,” “most”) without figures or methodology.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing fact and interpretation (“increase” vs. “+2.1%”).
- Measures without definition (“unemployment” varies depending on the criteria).
- Partisan selection (only keeping data that confirms one’s thesis).
- Out of context: a fact may be true but misleading if the period, scope, or conditions are omitted.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I chose to write opinion pieces on municipal administration because, in my view, citizens are not sufficiently informed about the issues at stake. In my opinion, there is a significant lack of transparency. It is important to note that I am criticizing decisions made in a professional context, not individuals in their private lives.
In my view, the good news is that interest in our municipal issues has grown significantly in recent months—an excellent sign for democracy.
