No time is like the present

So the story goes. You google data journalism. You click the first thus most popular search result titled Data Journalism Handbook. There you have no trouble discovering the intrigue and imperative of using data — and knowing code in general — in reporting. You know you have admired the works with in-depth storytelling (such as this project), new ways of discovering subjects (this), and honest and innovative portrayal of dense information (this).

But actually starting a practice as a data journalist and creating your own piece? You look at the seemingly lofty goal, uncertain whether you should step away and stick to the methods with which you are more familiar.

Time to get outside of your comfort zone. cd journalism is a publication on learning data, code and the internet for journalists. If you have shied away from any data-related topic, come here to refresh your mind and equip it with new possibilities. For those of you who are ready to dive into the realm, or have done so already, cd journalism is where you share your learning experiences with, and find solidarity among, your peers.

What you will find here

1. Reflections on learning data, coding and the internet from your very own Zameena Mejia, class of 2016.
2. Posts from me, the technologist-in-residence, as I illustrate concepts in code, learning, and broader relationships between journalism and technology.
3. Event announcements, including in-depth discussions with your professors, guest speakers, workshops, and other format of gatherings related to data journalism and the internet.
4. Your contributions! For more information about contributing to cd journalism, see the last section.

What you will not find here

1. Original tutorials. Why bringing another tutorial into this world when there’re already dozens to peruse on the internet? That said, we will curate lists of said tutorial links from time to time.
2. A definitive answer to your life and career.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is data journalism? Can you give me a simple answer?

Data journalism is just journalism. The only reason it feels more novel is because, well, the tools are new.

But are new tools better tools?

Good question! In 2015 you can build a campfire that simultaneously charges your phone. (No product placement intended.) Just because the tool is out there doesn’t mean you have to use it. However, just as building a campfire will never be a superfluous skill, it never hurts to be knowledgable about the internet and how it can shape your story and audience. And yes, internet is the new campfire, especially for journalists.

I am not very tech-savvy. So I am off the hook, right?

Wrong. You know how to operate a piece of machine that can take videos, show you your exact location, and receive texts from your mom, maybe all at the same time. That’s tech — you might have taken it for granted, but it’s still tech and you are good at it. The reality is that you, and almost everyone else, consume information via a rectangular screen (or multiple rectangular screens.) So stop saying you are not tech-savvy and stay on the hook.

Can I just focus on writing and other more conventional methods of journalism instead? I don’t think code, data, or this whole “understanding of internet” thing is relevant to my work.

Well, if you want to limit your opportunities of becoming a better, versatile journalist, then yes, you may. Learning to code, in principle, is not dissimilar to learning to operate a camera. Or swim. You are acquiring skills that will take time, practice, and the grit to accept failure. Code and data are just vessels through which you can produce visually appealing and intellectually engaging stories. Plus, the more code you understand, the more control you have over the digital publication and management of your story, which is indispensable in this day and age.

cd journalism? What does it mean?

Glad you asked. Here’s a bit context.

cd, which stands for change directory, is something you would type to tell your computer: now, I would like you to navigate to this folder. The very place in which you execute the command is called Command-line Interface, or CLI — one of the most universal tools used by data journalists and news developers. It predates most human-computer interaction you are familiar with today (for example, clicking with a mice) and will certainly look alien when you use it for the first time.

There are many reasons data journalists use CLI: it is capable of investigating huge datasets and processing them fast. It also provides you with an efficient workflow once you get a hang of it. For now, it’s okay if you are still a bit confused or unconvinced about CLI — you will befriend it at some point in your quest of data journalism. To give you a sense of what it is, go find the pony in this game built with a CLI. Just read the instructions, type and play!

What are some resources I have other than the fundamental class?

Your professors are here for you. I am here for you. This publication is here for you. If you have any questions, post them to this GitHub repository and/or sign up for the Slack group.

Can I email you instead?

No. Only GitHub and Slack.

Interested in contributing?

We are eager to hear about your experiences and thoughts in and outside of the classroom, about data journalism, coding and the internet. You are welcome to submit anything from showcasing an interactive assignment to writing about a new tool or workflow you are excited about.

We welcome all sorts of comments. Feel free to respond here, on the Facebook page, or wheatpaste it outside of the J-School.

If you want to submit something but are unsure about what that might be, feel free to contact me via Slack. Together, we will hone in on an idea that is realistic, educational and, who knows, fun to pursue.