Comments on: Why did you get into data journalism? http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/ A conversation. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:38:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: L’informazione vera “è” pallosa. Ovvero il giornalismo dei dati » Scene Digitali - Blog - Repubblica.it http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/#comment-16670 L’informazione vera “è” pallosa. Ovvero il giornalismo dei dati » Scene Digitali - Blog - Repubblica.it Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:39:10 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=8423#comment-16670 [...] chi avesse voglia Tedeschini segnala anche un post di Paul Bradshaw su cosa spinge i giornalisti a occuparsi di [...] [...] chi avesse voglia Tedeschini segnala anche un post di Paul Bradshaw su cosa spinge i giornalisti a occuparsi di [...]

]]> By: kombizz http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/#comment-16669 kombizz Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:55:38 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=8423#comment-16669 I loved your article plus the comments. I loved your article plus the comments.

]]> By: Simon Lyton http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/#comment-16668 Simon Lyton Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:19:51 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=8423#comment-16668 Theres an interesting articles about how UK broadsheet The Guardian is utilising data journalism: http://www.niemanlab.org/2010/08/how-the-guardian-is-pioneering-data-journalism-with-free-tools/ Theres an interesting articles about how UK broadsheet The Guardian is utilising data journalism: http://www.niemanlab.org/2010/08/how-the-guardian-is-pioneering-data-journalism-with-free-tools/

]]> By: Jerrod http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/#comment-16667 Jerrod Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:01:15 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=8423#comment-16667 I am currently reading Ken Doctor's book Newsonomics, and it talks about several of the same ideas that you are researching. With the indefinite future of journalism looming, all signs are pointing to technology and computer-based outsourcing. I have also closely follow Romenesko's aggregated media posts, and I have seen the same trends emerging. I am currently reading Ken Doctor’s book Newsonomics, and it talks about several of the same ideas that you are researching. With the indefinite future of journalism looming, all signs are pointing to technology and computer-based outsourcing. I have also closely follow Romenesko’s aggregated media posts, and I have seen the same trends emerging.

]]> By: Matt http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2010/09/22/why-did-you-get-into-data-journalism/#comment-16666 Matt Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:02:55 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=8423#comment-16666 I must confess I'm a little unsure of the exact definition of data journalism, but I'd like to share some of my experiences. My personal understanding of this term is obtaining a decent headline through harvesting large quantities of data and following up leads thrown up by that data. My experience doesn't really encompass representing that data in a flash-based online applications or spreadsheets (though these techniques could be brilliant for representing the sort of info I occasionally get my mitts on - just wish I had the chance), but in using the information as the basis for TV/radio reports and the occasional online article. There is an awful lot of data out there, often in gov.uk, nhs.uk or police.uk domains, but I'm not convinced that the really interesting or newsworthy stuff is so readily available - public bodies tend to hide embarrassing info or only give it up with great reluctance. Often this info is obtained it via third parties. I'm happy to be corrected on this if anyone can show me where to find scoops by speculatively trawling for stuff which is already out there. I have spent a fair few hours at my kitchen table going through reams of paperwork obtained via FoI, trying to find stories or nuggets of information which have prompted further inquiries and further FoI requests, which have in turn led to stories. Examples of the sort of info which can be a goldmine for journalists but aren't neccessarily available online include HSE RIDDOR notifications, Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) reports from NHS Trusts, IR1 notifications from Ambulance Trusts and information entered onto Strategic Executive Information Systems operated by NHS Trusts. These are the things which will reveal medical accidents, staff politics, data breaches, lab accidents, complaints - you name it - but needs to be dug out, prised out of them. This stuff just isn't searchable on the internet. Cheers. Matt I must confess I’m a little unsure of the exact definition of data journalism, but I’d like to share some of my experiences. My personal understanding of this term is obtaining a decent headline through harvesting large quantities of data and following up leads thrown up by that data.

My experience doesn’t really encompass representing that data in a flash-based online applications or spreadsheets (though these techniques could be brilliant for representing the sort of info I occasionally get my mitts on – just wish I had the chance), but in using the information as the basis for TV/radio reports and the occasional online article.

There is an awful lot of data out there, often in gov.uk, nhs.uk or police.uk domains, but I’m not convinced that the really interesting or newsworthy stuff is so readily available – public bodies tend to hide embarrassing info or only give it up with great reluctance. Often this info is obtained it via third parties. I’m happy to be corrected on this if anyone can show me where to find scoops by speculatively trawling for stuff which is already out there.

I have spent a fair few hours at my kitchen table going through reams of paperwork obtained via FoI, trying to find stories or nuggets of information which have prompted further inquiries and further FoI requests, which have in turn led to stories.

Examples of the sort of info which can be a goldmine for journalists but aren’t neccessarily available online include HSE RIDDOR notifications, Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) reports from NHS Trusts, IR1 notifications from Ambulance Trusts and information entered onto Strategic Executive Information Systems operated by NHS Trusts. These are the things which will reveal medical accidents, staff politics, data breaches, lab accidents, complaints – you name it – but needs to be dug out, prised out of them. This stuff just isn’t searchable on the internet.
Cheers.
Matt

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