The Data Journalism Handbook

Chapter 2. In The Newsroom

How does data journalism sit within newsrooms around the world? How did leading data journalists convince their colleagues that it is a good idea to publish datasets or launch data-driven news apps? Should journalists learn how to code, or work in tandem with talented developers? In this section we look at the role of data and data journalism at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC, the Chicago Tribune, the Guardian, the Texas Tribune, and the Zeit Online. We learn how to spot and hire good developers, how to engage people around a topic through hackathons and other events, how to collaborate across borders, and business models for data journalism.

The ABC’s Data Journalism Play

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is Australia’s national public broadcaster. Annual funding is around $1 billion dollars (AUS), which delivers seven radio networks, 60 local radio stations, three digital television services, a new international television service, and an online platform to deliver this ever-expanding offering of digital and user-generated content. At last count, there were over 4,500 full time equivalent staff, and nearly 70% of them make content.

We are a national broadcaster fiercely proud of our independence; although funded by the government, we are separated at arm’s length through law. Our traditions are independent public service journalism. ...