BLOG 2: DATA JOURNALISM & ‘FAKE NEWS’ (Social Responsibility)
BLOG 2:
I chose to study Fashion Journalism for the duration of this Better Lives project, in which we are currently looking into the practice of Data Journalism. Within this unit, we are also required to keep in mind the three Better Lives themes of diversity, social responsibility and sustainability.
Throughout the lectures so far, we have analysed an article written for ‘VOX’, by Sarah Frostenson, about the Women’s Marches that took place in 2017, across the US. Within this article, Frostenson states that on one particular day, it was found to be the “largest day of demonstrations in American history.” (Frostenson, 2017), in which she backed up with statistics and data, collected by reliable sources.
In addition, we assessed further, the data surrounding the idea of how many marches occurred across various states in America and thought about how and why these particular statistics were shown. In order to do this, we discussed as a group, a variety of questions that were raised, which would also work as good leads for further articles that could be written around the subject.
Whilst looking into this article and the statistics around it, it occurred to me, the importance of social responsibility, when working in the field of journalism, whatever form of journalism that may be. As a journalist, you have the social responsibility to deliver factual information to your audience. The concept of ‘fake news’ is a very common occurrence in the journalism industry and across the media, where stories will be twisted, false information will be shared, and this mainly bottles down to the fact that there was a lack of data or statistics in the article, to support the said information. In today’s society, as the use of media and technology has heightened, the concept of ‘fake news’ is a problem that seems to have increased hugely, especially amongst celebrity news.
Conclusively, the past few weeks of these Data Journalism lectures have shown me the strength of which data obtains, when it comes to certifying an article or piece of writing. It’s opened my eyes to the social responsibility journalists have, when it comes to public delivery of their work. In the future, when it comes to my personal practice, in this discipline in particular, I will ensure that all information used and all statements made, are backed up with a reliable source. To do this, heavy research is required, but as a responsibility of ours, it is a role, which as journalists, we must deliver.
CITATIONS:
Frostenson, S., 2017. The Women’s Marches May Have Been The Largest Demonstration In US History. [online] Vox. Available at: <https://www.vox.com/2017/1/22/14350808/womens-marches-largest-demonstration-us-history-map> [Accessed 26 March 2020].
25th April 2020 @ 11:27 am
Blog Post 4: Peer Review of Daisy Easterby-Sands Blog Post 2
Among other’s Better Lives blogs, I read Daisy Easterby-Sands blog post on Data Journalism and fake news. With the many fake news articles circulating online in current times, Easterby-Sands article attracted my attention.
This blog post informs the reader of the practice of Data Journalism and the author’s experience and knowledge surrounding the subject. Easterby-Sands gives evidence by quoting an article by politics editor, Sarah E. Frostenson. The author correctly references her work, showing a clear understanding of the academic writing process.
Informative and insightful, Easterby-Sands presents the reader with facts, opinion and analysis surrounding her experience of the College’s Better Lives themes and understanding of chosen subject area, Journalism.
Evaluating this blog, I am aware of the theme of social responsibility and how it has resonated with the author. Reflection of how the Better Lives theme of social responsibility will change how Easterby-Sands will work in the future is clearly stated in her conclusion paragraph.
Furthermore, considering the objective of experimenting with and exploring how the Better Lives themes can inform practice, I am certain the author provides the reader with evidence of this. Easterby-Sands shows engagement with her Better Lives lectures, and demonstrates this by explaining her new knowledge of the strength of data in regards to certifying an article and reliability of sources.
Reading this blog post has given an insight to an area I am not familiar with and has made me engage with the writer’s chosen area of study. There is definite emphasis on the importance of social responsibility, linking back to the Better Lives themes as well as exploration of and into a creative practice, Journalism.
I feel that the author’s objective of making a connection with the Better Lives themes, in particular social responsibility and how it relates to Journalism and fake news is extremely informative and engaging. In addition to this, Easterby-Sands states the requirement to keep in mind all three themes, including diversity and sustainability, and demonstrated this well and precisely.
Effectively engaging the reader whilst promoting themes of importance is a difficult task and I am impressed with Easterby-Sands ability to keep the reader connected to her writing whilst hitting the assessment criteria of the Better Lives second blog post.
In regards to further feedback I think it’s important to add that he author’s writing is effective and flows well. I didn’t notice any spelling, punctuation or grammar mistakes when evaluating this blog post.
I feel that Easterby-Sands could have given the reader more evidence of fake news occurring in the news and media, if given a bigger word count to work with. I feel that the author could have included a variety of evidence and quotes to further back up her enquiry and inform the reader.