few days ago ICFJ Knight Fellow Catherine Gicheru spoke to a group of Nairobi students about how using data can improve journalism. Gicheru, an award-winning investigative journalist and former editor of Kenya’s hottest newspaper, The Star , is leading efforts to expand the use of data in newsrooms in her country. Here are some of her tips and thoughts.
1) Journalists must evolve if they want to remain relevant
The times when traditional media – radio, television or newspapers – were the only way to reach the public are behind us. In particular for journalists working in print media, the data gives the possibility to add context and depth to the analysis. This kind of depth or perspective is not always easy to come by, which means that journalists will have to slightly modify the way they report . If journalism wants to remain relevant, testimony is no longer enough.
2) The more technology advances, the more data digitization there is
This can help drive or serve as input for policies on various issues, from health to security, and can even help improve access to government services.
3) The data can be used to better understand what is happening around us and how it can affect us
The data can help journalists provide the analysis and information that the public needs to fully understand important day-to-day issues.
4) Data can improve a complex story
Combined with traditional reporting techniques, the data can help tell stories in more engaging and innovative ways and give citizens clear and useful information . How many paved roads are there in the country and to what extent do they coincide with the investments made by the national and local government? Do taxpayers see the fruits of their taxes?
5) Data helps journalism tell the truth to power
This includes challenging some of the statements posing as facts. How many professors, doctors, nurses and nurses could have been trained with the 791 million Kenyan shillings “lost” in fraud in the national youth service, which led to the resignation of a Cabinet Secretary? And is it true that 1.2 million women will benefit from free maternal care, as President Uhuru stated in March?
6) Using data minimizes guesswork
You no longer have to rely exclusively on what those who tend to deny everything tell you if they are under pressure or choose to “forget” the facts. The data also puts you in a position of strength to defend yourself against those who accuse you of having received money to tarnish their names.
7) You can use data to demand transparency from politicians and officials
This is particularly relevant when it comes to checking whether politicians have kept promises made at election time. In my experience as a journalist in Kenya, parliamentary reports are a useful resource for reviewing that information.
8) Data journalism is the future
Traditional information-seeking techniques – like wearing the soles of your shoes to get face-to-face interviews with sources – are still an integral part of what journalists do. But being a good writer with good fonts is no longer enough. You would also benefit from some multimedia skills, a dose of computer-aided research, and a willingness to collaborate with others, such as data experts and designers. All of these aspects are important if we want to fulfill the responsibility of moving through noise and providing citizens with the information that matters to them in a way that makes sense to them.
