[Nettime-nl] Data-driven journalism: What is there to learn? 24 August, 2010, Amsterdam

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

Data-driven journalism: What is there to learn?
24 August, 2010, Amsterdam

Ten, even five years ago, the use of data as a basis for reporting was
difficult and costly, requiring IT skills far beyond what is common in
media. Databases were used mainly by investigative journalists.  
Editors and
reporters usually relied on information provided by outside sources.

Today there is a notable change. Collections of data are becoming  
available
online, often for free. There is a whole stack of tools to dig into ‘big
data‘. Open source tools allow navigation and analysis of large  
amounts of
data rather quickly. There are online applications that allow us to  
share
and visualise data.

Developing the know-how to use the available data more effectively, to
understand it, communicate and generate stories based on it, could be  
a huge
opportunity to breathe new life into journalism. Journalists can find  
new
roles as ’sense-makers’ digging deep into data, thus making reporting  
more
socially relevant. If done well, delivering credible information and  
advice
could even generate revenues, opening up new perspectives on business
models, aside from subscriptions and advertising.

In this context, the European Journalism Centre in collaboration with  
the
University of Amsterdam organises the first round table on data-driven
journalism. The one day event brings together specialists in fields  
which
intersect with data-driven journalism: data mining, data visualisation  
and
multimedia storytelling to discuss the possibilities of this emerging  
field,
examine and understand the needed tools and workflows, and spread the
know-how for data-driven journalism. What can we learn from the existing
projects? How can we integrate the existing tools in the journalistic
workflows? What skills are needed to enter this field? These are just  
a few
of the issues which will be addressed in this event.

The programme includes speakers from: The New York Times (US), The  
Financial
Times (UK), The Times (UK), The University of Amsterdam (Netherlands),  
The
Open University (UK), The Open Knowledge Foundation (UK), Medienkombinat
(Germany) Hacks/Hackers (US), OWNI (France) IBM (France), Ultra  
Knowledge
(UK), KB Consulting (Germany). The roundtable is chaired by Mirko  
Lorenz,
DDJ Project leader, EJC and Innovation projects, Deutsche Welle.

To share your suggestions and insights on what is needed for  
journalists to
enter this promising field, please join the data-driven journalism  
group on
the EJC Online Community <http://community.ejc.net/> . To attend the  
event,
please fill in the online application form
<https://ejcnet.wufoo.com/forms/registration-form-ddj-amsterdam-24-aug/ 
> .

There is no registration fee but the attendees are expected to arrange  
and
cover their own transportation and accommodation.


______________________________________________________
* Verspreid via nettime-nl. Commercieel gebruik niet
* toegestaan zonder toestemming. <nettime-nl> is een
* open en ongemodereerde mailinglist over net-kritiek.
* Meer info, archief & anderstalige edities:
* http://www.nettime.org/.
* Contact: Menno Grootveld (rabotnik@xs4all.nl).