Presented by Greg Linch to the Grupo de Diarios América (American Group of Daily Newspapers) seminar in Buenos Aires on Nov. 4, 2015.

1. Data and programming
as part of your journalistic core --
not just add-ons
Greg Linch
Data Developer
McClatchy DC
greglinch.com
@greglinch

2. not just add-ons

3. Raise your hand if you have
journalists that specialize in...
● data
● programming
● visualization

4. Data
● obtain
● analyze
● present
Programming
● building websites
● designing web pages
● making widget
Typical uses

5. Both as the
core
of reporting

6. Programming as
a reporting tool

7. Analyzing algorithms

12. Presentation

15. What can we make with data in addition to…?
● Visualizations
● Databases

16. Automatization

20. Quakebot
“Quakebot is a system that accepts USGS
earthquake notification emails, analyses
them for relevance, and creates an alert
and LA Now blog post.” - Ken Schwencke

21. Personalization

26. Explorable Explanations
“An active reader asks questions, considers alternatives,
questions assumptions, and even questions the
trustworthiness of the author. An active reader tries to
generalize specific examples, and devise specific examples for
generalities. An active reader doesn't passively sponge up
information, but uses the author's argument as a springboard
for critical thought and deep understanding.”
- Bret Victor (http://worrydream.com/ExplorableExplanations)

29. Structured reporting

34. How can we do this?!
● Make friends with a programmer in your organization
● Self-learning
● Training
● Hiring
○ newsnerdjobs.com
○ Source
● Partner with universities
○ ex: Washington Post scholarship for prorgammers at Medill
● Internships
● Fellowships
○ ex: Knight-Mozilla OpenNews

35. General resources
● NICAR-L
● Data Journalism
Handbook
● Hacks / Hackers

36. Programming and data are not magic

37. And they’re not just add-ons

38. They should be first-class elements of
journalism

39. Much more is possible

40. Use these as examples

41. But look
outside of journalism
for
inspiration

42. Invent your own new form!

43. Thanks!
@greglinch
greglinch [at] gmail [dot] com
greglinch.com