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Between Objectivity and Openness—The Mediality of Data for Journalism

Author

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  • Frédérik Lesage

    (School of Communication, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, V5A 1S6 Burnaby, Canada)

  • Robert A. Hackett

    (School of Communication, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, V5A 1S6 Burnaby, Canada)

Abstract

A number of recent high profile news events have emphasised the importance of data as a journalistic resource. But with no definitive definition for what constitutes data in journalism, it is difficult to determine what the implications of collecting, analysing, and disseminating data are for journalism, particularly in terms of objectivity in journalism. Drawing selectively from theories of mediation and research in journalism studies we critically examine how data is incorporated into journalistic practice. In the first half of the paper, we argue that data's value for journalism is constructed through mediatic dimensions that unevenly evoke different socio-technical contexts including scientific research and computing. We develop three key dimensions related to data's mediality within journalism: the problem of scale, transparency work, and the provision of access to data as 'openness'. Having developed this first approach, we turn to a journalism studies perspective of journalism's longstanding "regime of objectivity", a regime that encompasses interacting news production practices, epistemological assumptions, and institutional arrangements, in order to consider how data is incorporated into journalism's own established procedures for producing objectivity. At first sight, working with data promises to challenge the regime, in part by taking a more conventionalist or interpretivist epistemological position with regard to the representation of truth. However, we argue that how journalists and other actors choose to work with data may in some ways deepen the regime's epistemological stance. We conclude by outlining a set of questions for future research into the relationship between data, objectivity and journalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Frédérik Lesage & Robert A. Hackett, 2014. "Between Objectivity and Openness—The Mediality of Data for Journalism," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 2(2), pages 42-54.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:2:y:2014:i:2:p:42-54
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alon Peled, 2011. "When transparency and collaboration collide: The USA Open Data program," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(11), pages 2085-2094, November.
    2. -, 2009. "The economics of climate change," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 38679, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    3. Alon Peled, 2011. "When transparency and collaboration collide: The USA Open Data program," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(11), pages 2085-2094, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olga Kalatzi & Charalampos Bratsas & Andreas Veglis, 2018. "The Principles, Features and Techniques of Data Journalism," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 6(2), pages 36-44, December.

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