By Ida Jooste and Florence Dallu Internews in Kenya.
Making numbers tell stories in a compelling way - that’s the challenge for journalists embracing the next big thing in their field: data journalism. Internews data portal, Data Dredger is just the tool to help overcome this challenge.
And now Data Dredger is a finalist in a prestigious international competition for data journalism. The Global Editors Network has announced the 73 finalists for the Data Journalism Awards (DJA), which recognizes outstanding work in the growing field of data journalism. From 300 applications received from all over the world, Data Dredger is the only finalist from Africa.
The shortlisted candidates represent 19 different countries, including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kenya, Romania, UK, United States, and Venezuela. Applicants ranged from major media groups, regional newspapers, and research groups. An international pre-jury chose the DJA 2013 finalists. Data Dredger is a finalist in the category: “Data journalism website, or section”.
Data Dredger is a space where journalists can mine data that is packaged in a user friendly manner. Storytellers can also download compelling visualizations for use in telling data driven stories. By clicking on the highlighted areas on the infographics, visitors to the portal can access data that is presented in easy-to-use spread sheets and infographics suitable for use in their stories.
The site also contains health information reference material and samples of data driven stories that have been published and broadcast in the Kenyan media with the mentorship of data journalism trainers at Internews in Kenya.
For the DJA, a total of 15,000 euros (around $19,000) will be awarded to eight winning projects. This year, a special “Public Choice Award” will be nominated. People are encouraged to vote on their favorite data application or visualization.
