Module 01

Data Journalism

A number, a letter, and a journalist walk into a story. No punchline - just the start of a data-driven investigation. This module teaches journalists how to uncover stories hidden in data, spot patterns, and report them clearly and effectively.

What is this module about?

This training focuses on turning data into narrative, empowering journalists to make data – especially during the elections – more understandable, accessible, and accountable to the public. Key areas include data cleaning and verification, ethics and neutrality in visual reporting, structured vs. unstructured data, and storytelling through charts, maps, and timelines.

Who is this training for?

Journalists and producers who wish to integrate data-driven approaches into reporting and those who need to strengthen their ability to transform structured and unstructured data into accurate, ethical, and visually compelling stories.

Language

This training can be delivered in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, in English or in any of the local languages.

Format approach

The module is built on a learning-by-doing approach, combining short theoretical segments with guided practice. Participants follow the complete data journalism workflow, from defining a question to gathering, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing the story.

Key learning outcomes

Upon completing the training, participants will be able to:

Understand the role and potential of data journalism, and identify reliable data sources.
Collect, clean, and verify datasets for accuracy.
Apply the workflow stages of data journalism (from hypothesis to visualization).
Create data visualizations and infographics using tools like Flourish or Datawrapper.

Recommended duration

180 minutes

Number of participants

10 - 15

Recommended number of participants