Data journalism: The myths and
the magic
ASNE Convention
Washington, DC
June 25, 2013
Myth: Data journalism is a (single)
discipline
The 3 dimensions of data journalism
Computer-assisted
reporter
News applications
developer
Data visualization
specialist
Computer-assisted reporter
• Former home: newsroom city desk
• Likely core skills:
– “data state of mind” for reporting
– can “interview” data – find stories in
data
– can negotiate for data with government
agencies
• Software: Excel, Access, mySQL
Jennifer LaFleur
Pro Publica
CAR director
News applications developer
• Former home: IT department or nonjournalism business
• Likely core skills:
– “back end” (server) programming
– database configuration and
administration
– understands what ideas are easy and
hard to execute in code
• Software: Ruby/Rails; Python/Django,
mySQL
Brian Boyer
NPR
News apps editor
Data visualization specialist
• Former home: newsroom graphics
department
• Likely core skills:
– can make data interesting and
accessible even in static print form
– understands good visual design
principles
• Software: Mapping (ArcGIS, Google
Maps, Leaflet), Javascript
visualization libraries (e.g., D3)
Kat Downs
Washington Post
graphics director
does not always equal
Filling these roles in your newsroom
• Almost no one has all these skills
• Unless you are a major news brand, you may not be able
to hire people with a long, proven track record in any of
these areas
• No matter whom you hire, you (and they) should expect
that they will need to keep learning
• Without a data-journalism culture in your newsroom, you
won’t be able to keep good people
• The best solution: “grow your own”: train your staff,
cultivate students before they graduate
• Think long term: you won’t get from 0 to 60 with a single
hire
Computer-assisted reporter
WHERE TO LOOK
RESOURCES
• Journalism schools –
• IRE/NICAR
especially those with
– Data “boot camps”
computer-assisted
– Annual conferences
reporting courses
– Newsroom training
• Your own reporters who:
– Already use spreadsheets • NICAR-L
in reporting
• SPJ & Poynter training
– Are comfortable with
programs
math and data
• PowerReporting.com
– Use numbers effectively
(Bill Dedman) training
in their stories
News applications developer
WHERE TO LOOK
RESOURCES
• Computer science schools – • Courses in Web
especially those with
programming:
practical (not theoretical)
– Codeacademy.com
focus
– Forjournalism.com
• Knight Scholarships at Medill
– Lynda.com
– seeking industry partners
•
Books
on
programming
in
• Your own developers who:
Ruby, Python, Javascript
– Are interested in journalism
• IRE/NICAR “boot camps”
– Participate in “OpenGov”
projects
– Use contemporary tools
(Ruby, Python, PHP, JavaScript)
– Mapping
– Web programming
Data visualization specialist
WHERE TO LOOK
RESOURCES
• Journalism schools –
• Visualisingdata.com (Andy
especially with programs in
Kirk) courses
news graphics
• Alberto Cairo’s book The
• Other schools (engineering,
Functional Art
design, etc.) with mapping
or data visualization courses • MIT Open Courseware:
“How to Process, Analyze
• Your graphic artists who:
and Visualize Data”
– Like working on dataintensive graphics
• Courses in JavaScript &
– Are comfortable with math
mapping:
and data
– Have some experience with
GIS systems and/or Javascript
– Codeacademy.com
– Forjournalism.com
Developing a data journalism culture
• Make sure at least one *editor* develops literacy
in these areas
• Don’t have preconceived notions about what the
right presentation approach is
• Develop data-related ideas as a team – with all
three “dimensions” represented
• Have regular events where people interested in
this topic can come together and learn
• Commit to ongoing development of your staff –
tuition support, travel, newsroom training
– Especially important: IRE’s CAR conference