Needs of Data Journalists Baiba Grandovska Press and Social Media Eurostat

Project Part of DIGICOM; follow-up of the branding study «Support in reaching out to data journalists and organising two workshops», GOPA COM Analyse the field of data journalism and create a directory Organise an event with data journalists Organise an event with ESS partners

Event with data journalists 15 April 2019, in Eurostat 10:30 – 15:30 Event with data journalists Event had 2 main objectives: present Eurostat and learn the needs of data journalists

Participants 35 journalists from 15+ countries: Major national news outlets News agencies TV and radio Niche media Specific data journalism media Investigative/ data visualisation/ radio/ niche

EUROSTAT: STATISTICS IN SUPPORT OF DATA JOURNALISM Objectives: To present European statistics To get to know data journalists and their needs

EUROSTAT: STATISTICS IN SUPPORT OF DATA JOURNALISM

WORKSHOP What are your statistical needs and how can Eurostat answer them?

Visualisation tools Needed and appreciated Interactive, dynamic – “things moving on the screen” Customizable – language, currency

Content More relatable data Link to current affairs; dashboards for public debate Simple messages, attractive presentation Provide context Quizzes Timeliness of statistics Regional breakdown

Database Customizable tables for downloading Improved data navigation tree Direct access to metadata Easier-to-read metadata Tutorials, linked from datasets More transparent release schedule; alerts Harmonization within ESS on code level Smooth bulk downloading

Website SEO Search function with natural language World Bank as benchmark Overwhelmed by information Sub-sites for user categories Layered access

Education Trainings, presentations Access to experts Glossary Methodology explanations, validation rules Differences between sources, incl. national/Eurostat

Cooperation Work with journalists more actively More events Mix journalists and academics to provide data scientists for the newsroom Promote the power of statistics in the society Teach to research and recognise “fake news” Share tools and knowledge among statistical offices Social media as preferred channel

WHAT'S NEXT E-mail list, first uses Webinars, Twitter chat Report on the event Satisfaction survey results ESS event: 23 September (tbc)