Data journalism: The myths and the magic ASNE Convention Washington, DC June 25, 2013

Myth: Data journalism is a (single) discipline

Data visualization specialist Computer-assisted reporter News applications developer The 3 dimensions of data journalism

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 non- journalism 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 Journalism schools – especially those with computer-assisted reporting courses Your own reporters who: – Already use spreadsheets in reporting – Are comfortable with math and data – Use numbers effectively in their stories IRE/NICAR – Data “boot camps” – Annual conferences – Newsroom training NICAR-L SPJ & Poynter training programs PowerReporting.com (Bill Dedman) training WHERE TO LOOK RESOURCES

News applications developer Computer science schools – especially those with practical (not theoretical) focus Knight Scholarships at Medill – seeking industry partners Your own developers who: – Are interested in journalism – Participate in “OpenGov” projects – Use contemporary tools (Ruby, Python, PHP, JavaScript) WHERE TO LOOK RESOURCES Courses in Web programming: – Codeacademy.com – Forjournalism.com – Lynda.com Books on programming in Ruby, Python, Javascript IRE/NICAR “boot camps” – Mapping – Web programming

Data visualization specialist Journalism schools – especially with programs in news graphics Other schools (engineering, design, etc.) with mapping or data visualization courses Your graphic artists who: – Like working on data- intensive graphics – Are comfortable with math and data – Have some experience with GIS systems and/or Javascript WHERE TO LOOK Visualisingdata.com (Andy Kirk) courses Alberto Cairo’s book The Functional Art MIT Open Courseware: “How to Process, Analyze and Visualize Data” Courses in JavaScript & mapping: – Codeacademy.com – Forjournalism.com RESOURCES

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