Seattle NewsTrain Conference 2013

NewsTrain will be in Seattle, WA, Oct. 3-4, 2013, for a two-day workshop at the Frye Art Museum. NewsTrain is sponsored by APME and this workshop is hosted by the Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review, Tacoma News Tribune, Puget Sound Business Journal, KUOW public radio, The Seattle Globalist, EO Media Group, Crosscut.com, The Associated Press, Western Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, University of Washington and Washington State University journalism programs.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

Finding the Best Stories in Data: Given a fairly structured data set, how do journalists find “actionable intelligence” or the best storylines. The first step is to understand what we and our readers want to know. Often this means shifting from or statistical shifts to the deeper questions of “Why?” or “Who?” The best insights are often found in the shape of the data – e.g. Why do 20% of the police write 70% of the tickets? And who are they? Simple ways to look at data distribution — measures of skewness, diversity, dispersion and concentration — often move journalists down the most interesting paths. (Overberg)

Mining for Data: Data and documents help reporters covering government, business, public safety or most any beat shift the balance of power. How? Consider: Data and documents enable a reporter to test claims and priorities; reshape the focus of an issue with a paragraph of key statistical background; and provide facts that stand outside local debates and allow comparisons to the broader world. Good use of data also shows readers the reporter can think and act independently and will do so on their behalf. This session explains how to grow a data-and-document mindset, using the example of one specific town in Washington state. (Overberg)

Digital Storytelling: How to approach the development and presentation of breaking news and enterprise packages with both print and online platforms in mind. (Friesen)

Data Visualization: Many new tools have created a surge in data visualization, the presentation of data in visual and interactive forms online. But a lack of skills in visual editing can result in poor or even misleading results. In some respects, visual editing is harder than story editing. This session covers the skills and terms associated with visual editing, among them the importance of data density, simplicity, information layering, interactivity, and good design principles. Also included are cautions about the many new open source tools available for data visualization, and specific challenges of data mapping. (Overberg)