A data journalist has a specific set of skills which allows them to report on data-driven stories in the media. Whether it’s print, online, broadcast or social media, a data journalist uses data to source news and present it to the public.
New branch of journalism
Data journalism is a relatively new branch of journalism, which became popular in the early 2000s after a former statistician started using data for political and sports news, to create predictions and models.
What does a data journalist do?
Like other forms of journalism, data journalism involves storytelling and reporting for media companies. However, stories are based on data and present it in unique ways. A data journalist’s day-to-day role sees them collecting and analysing data in order to make predictions.
Required skills
A large part of a data journalist’s job is to have tools to clean, structure and analyse data. They need to be able to wade through reams of data and pick out the story, before making it easily digestible for readers.
Many data journalists will have some sort of training, such as a journalism degree, as they will need to have knowledge of media law and ethics. Those interested in pursuing a career in data journalism can access courses from a range of providers such as journalism degree.
Training equips would-be journalists with the skills to be able to create engaging stories and present complex subjects in a clear and informative way. It also teaches them how to fact-check information to ensure their copy is accurate and captures readers’ imaginations.