Data Journalism and Media Standards, online course

Learner Details

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The free online course Data Journalism and Media Standards introduces you to the methods used by journalists in gathering and utilizing online data, as well as the use of freedom of information requests for government and public records. The use of blogs and the rise of the citizen journalist are also explored.

The course first introduces the ever-growing set of tools, techniques, and approaches to storytelling known as data journalism. You will learn how to find data on the web, how to request it using freedom of information laws, how to use screen-scraping to gather data from unstructured sources, and use crowd-sourcing to collect datasets from readers. You will learn how to present data using techniques such as data visualization and news applications. You will also learn about mining data and learn to recognize the four main obstacles to the use of data journalism. 

Next, you will learn about the role of the free press and the standards that are in place which describe the privileges and responsibilities of a free press in a free society. The laws, statutes, and codes that determine the conduct required of news organizations are explained. The framework of a free press is also explained, such as, what rights are essential, in order for journalists to do their jobs. You will also learn about censorship and regulation of the media. You will review how government licensing in some countries both determines who may be a journalist and circumscribes the parameters of acceptable reporting and commentary leading to self-censorship and stifling of dissent and debate.

Finally, you are introduced to the tools and resources used to hold bloggers and citizen journalists to account. You will learn how access to electronic files presents special challenges such as being over-connected which can fragment and compartmentalize public opinion. You will also learn how information that is in the public domain cannot be the basis of an invasion of privacy suit. You will also learn about how discipline, order and planning are essential for successful investigative journalism, and how your work must be solidly researched, well written and verifiable.

This course will be of great interest to journalists and students who would like to learn how gathering and presenting data can be used as key part of the journalistic process. The course will also be of interest to learners who want an insight into the ethics and laws governing journalism, and how they apply to both professional and citizen journalists.

CERTIFICATION

To qualify for your official ALISON Diploma, Certificate or PDF you must studyand complete all modules and score 80% or more in each of the course assessments. A link to purchase your Diploma certificate will then appear under the My Certificates heading of your My Account page.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course you will be able to:
- Explain the use of data in journalism;
- List the four main obstacles to the use of data in journalism;
- Explain how to access and request data;
- List the three key concepts to understanding data;
- Explain data literacy;
- Explain the responsibilities of a free press in a free society;
- Define the right of access to government proceedings;
- Explain what rights are essential in order for journalists to do their jobs;
- List the four distinct and identified privacy torts;
- Explain the ethics of journalism;
- Explain how a blog publisher can still be sued for material he writes;
- Define the classification of a journalist;
- Explain how journalism enhances civil society; 
- List the nine types of FOI exemptions;
- Explain how to produce investigative journalism to international standards.