When it comes to data in journalism, I feel that it is extremely important to include data at all times. Data will help journalists to present a more honest and truthful story when it comes to public opinion pieces. Now, the problem with data is that we cannot always be assured that this is true data, especially when it comes to controversial political stories. Journalists are able to spin the story to appease whichever side of the coin has more viewers.
The way that journalists, journalism educators and journalism students need to prepare for data in today’s journalism world is to look at their numbers and make sure they have equal representation before placing these numbers in newspapers, magazines, online, and on the television news. Journalists themselves need to be open in allowing data to infiltrate their news to provide a clearer picture to their audience. Educators must use sample news articles that involve data in their classrooms and help their students figure out which is the best way to make this data stand out. Students of journalism need to understand outright that data is a part of the new age newsrooms. They need to take the reins and utilize data so that when they are stepping into the newsrooms for the first time, they are able to have this training and know what it takes to incorporate the data. In doing so, they will be able to teach the “old guard” journalists how the news is becoming more data oriented.
