The Role of Data Journalism in Strengthening Community Impact

Dear Founders and Publishers,

As we move past the 2024 election season, one thing remains clear: data continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the conversation. Local newsrooms, especially those led by BIPOC communities, are increasingly turning to data journalism to provide deeper insights into community issues. But what exactly is data journalism, and why should it matter to you in the months ahead?

Data journalism goes beyond simply reporting the facts—it’s about telling stories using numbers, statistics, and data sets to uncover trends and reveal hidden patterns. It allows journalists to take complex, often overwhelming information and break it down in a way that’s accessible and meaningful to the community. As we move beyond elections, data journalism is just as important for tracking other community issues, from housing trends to health disparities to education and beyond.

Black Voice News: Leading the Way with Data Journalism

A standout example of how data journalism can make a difference comes from Black Voice News, a prominent Black-owned news outlet based in California. According to Stephanie Williams, Executive Editor at Black Voice News, “Data helps us take big national issues and make them relevant to our local community. We ask, ‘How does this issue look for the African American community here in California? What percent locally are having this issue?’ It makes the story relatable and actionable for our readers.”

Black Voice News has used data to address a range of issues impacting Black communities it serves, including housing affordability and public health. They’ve recently utilized data-driven reporting to examine how COVID-19 disproportionately impacted Black communities in the Inland Empire area of California. By using public health data and local statistics, they showcased how Black neighborhoods faced higher infection rates, highlighting inequities in healthcare access.

“We strive to take these large, often abstract issues and ground them in our community’s experience,” Williams explains. “If we’re reporting that a certain percentage of African Americans are being impacted by a lack of access to resources, we bring it home by showing how that looks locally, right here in the Inland Empire.”

Their team’s innovative use of data, including visualizations and interactive maps, helped put the numbers into context, making it easier for their audience to understand and engage with the issue. For example, in one report, they used local census data to track how the pandemic affected economic stability in Black communities, showing a sharp rise in unemployment and housing insecurity. “We use data to help our community see the bigger picture, but also to show them exactly what needs to change locally,” Williams says.

Beyond the Elections: Data Journalism Can Tackle Key Local Issues

Even though the election season is over, there are still countless stories that can benefit from data-driven journalism. Here are some ways you can incorporate data into your local coverage:

• Tracking Housing Trends: Data journalism is perfect for uncovering patterns in local housing markets. Are rent prices rising in certain neighborhoods? Are certain demographics being displaced? Using census data, real estate reports, and local government data, you can create powerful visualizations that highlight housing trends, challenges, and opportunities for your community.
• Healthcare Disparities: Public health data can help illuminate disparities in healthcare access and outcomes within different communities. Reporting on healthcare inequalities, particularly in underserved areas, can be enhanced by data showing which neighborhoods have limited access to hospitals, healthcare facilities, or preventative services.

“Data lets us not only tell the stories but advocate for change,” Williams adds. “By showing where the disparities are, we can push our local policymakers to focus on these issues. For example, our reporting on COVID-19 helped get the state to begin publishing demographic data on the virus’s impact on Black communities.”

• Education Gaps: Data can help reveal how different communities are faring in terms of education. Is there a disparity in test scores, school funding, or graduation rates between districts? By using educational data and demographic information, you can highlight gaps and work toward raising awareness on where improvements are needed.
• Crime and Public Safety: Use local police and crime data to uncover patterns in public safety. Is there a rise in certain types of crime in specific areas? How do factors like economic hardship or racial inequalities play into local crime trends? This kind of reporting allows you to offer insights into the root causes of crime while helping the community understand what needs to change.

How You Can Integrate Data Journalism in Your Local Newsroom

So, how can you bring the power of data journalism into your newsroom, even if you’re just starting out? Here are some simple ways to get started:

1. Start with Local Data: Gather data from local government sources, nonprofits, and community groups to track trends that are relevant to your audience. You can use data to track housing, health, education, and crime to highlight pressing issues in your community.

Williams advises, “Don’t be afraid of the numbers. We’ve seen firsthand how powerful data can be, even when the issue seems difficult to tackle. As a journalist, you may not be an expert in data analysis, but there are people out there who can help you interpret it.”

1. Collaborate with Local Institutions: Team up with universities, think tanks, and community organizations to access additional datasets. Many universities provide research on local issues that can supplement your reporting. “Our own in-house data team, which we call the Mapping Black California team, helps us dig deeper into issues that are often overlooked,” says Williams. “That team allows us to connect the dots in ways that elevate the stories we want to tell.”
2. Use Interactive Tools: Tools like Google Data Studio or Tableau Public are fantastic for creating interactive charts and maps that allow your readers to explore data on their own. These tools are free and easy to use for beginners.
3. Tell the Story Behind the Numbers: Data on its own can be dry. The magic happens when you connect the numbers to real people and real issues. Interview local community members, activists, and organizers to bring the data to life in a compelling way. “It’s one thing to show the numbers, but it’s another to show the real-world impact of those numbers on the people in your community,” Williams says.

As local newsrooms, especially those led by BIPOC publishers, continue to rise as the backbone of democracy and civic engagement, integrating data journalism into your coverage can provide deeper insights and strengthen your community’s trust. Whether you’re tracking local housing trends, analyzing healthcare disparities, or covering public safety, data journalism is an invaluable tool for telling more nuanced, relevant stories.

Williams encourages publishers to be bold in using data: “Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the exact data you need. Sometimes the most important story is the one that reveals how the community isn’t being tracked. That’s a story in itself.”

Remember, data journalism isn’t just for big newsrooms with huge budgets—it’s accessible, and with the right tools and resources, it can be an exciting way to amplify your reporting.