Driving Journalism the DATA way!

What is data Journalism? quite simply it is stories told using infographics. It is a way for Journalists to share complex information in a visually appealing way. In today's world Journalists are not always the first to report information, but what can set them apart is creating visually appealing infographics that explain the story. A good data Journalist can not only report on events but, using data can show what affect these events can have, thus making their story more appealing. This can give the Journalist or news organisation the 'edge' on competitors.
 

At the heart of data journalism is a good infographic, the story is only part of the picture. Many things still must be considered like with any story: What are the implications? how do I make it interesting and accessible to everyone? Television presenters are using info graphics in their news reports and this is becoming far more common. News that is easier to understand for the public is at the heart of this. The BBC have launched a daily infographic service on social media, whereby they aim to 'deliver a salient, interesting nugget on a big story'.

Data Journalism isn't just about graphs and pie charts, it is about creating visually appealing stories that SELL, INFORM and EMPOWER the public with knowledge. As with any source of information both the Journalist and the reader must be aware of how it can shape or restrict the stories that are created.Infographics are a tool of the trade and as such should be used alongside others tools to enhance your work.