The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is giving journalists smart tips to investigate stories.
By Wesley Ford
The Best Global Data presentation shared important tactics that could enable journalists to tell better investigative stories through data journalism techniques. The session was moderated by Research Editor at The Intercept, Margot Williams.
Williams talked extensively about the use of the deep web and sites like Flightradar24 and Marinetraffic.com in how they are useful as search engines. Williams highlighted the importance of a search checklist and knowing which information is needed for what purpose. “When doing a search, the most important thing to figure out before starting is, what is the answer?” she said.
Director of the Research Center at the Global Investigative Journalism Network, Toby McIntosh demonstrated some useful tips which can be found on their website. The site provides guidelines for creating good investigative journalism and provides tips which range from archiving your work to finding expert sources to whistle-blowing. The tools also assist journalists better navigate the worlds of mobile, photo and social media journalism.
According to McIntosh, reporting tools and the use of resource guides comes in handy when dealing with complex issues such as human trafficking, corruption, conflict and terrorism.
Founder of India Spend, Govind Ethiraj placed a larger emphasis on how Data journalism in India has become more accessible and in the public domain since 1995 with the inclusion of Federal Data and Flagship schemes which have been instrumental in reporting on rural India and employment. He however said the quality of the data is questionable. He said, “Most journalists are disappointed about the quality of data available, I would argue that in India the amount of data is reasonably good however the quality is questionable.”
The session concluded with Williams stating that the use of the various investigative research links will enable journalists to make connections between politicians and business professionals which will allow them to tell groundbreaking investigative stories.
