Acquire Data Analysis And Data Visualization Skills Through IT Training

An intriguing Dailymaverick.co.za article reveals how programming languages as well as open-source technologies can help media organizations provide news which can be a lot more significant, local as well as unique. Correspondents could use technology tools to accomplish their jobs rapidly, conveniently and also efficiently. This is particularly true for investigative journalism, in which there is normally a demand for large quantities of data to be deciphered. It is the role of journalists to interpret and offer the evidence to individuals in a more comprehensible means. The article looks at precisely how data journalism has enabled much more productive news delivery to the readers.

How a journalists knowledge of Python helped crack South Africas mine grab case

City Press, a well-liked newspaper published by South Africas leading publishing group, Media24, was the first ones to deliver the ruling party ANCs (African National Congress) mine grabbing case to the public. The plan to nationalize mines and accompanying findings that visibly revealed the deceitful dealings of the party, were printed in City Press by journalist Andrew Trench and his team.

To do this, they had to take a look at all of the information linked to prospecting right and mining applications, in which the government departments had maintained in PDF format. This format wouldn't allow for any useful in-depth review of the facts. But Trenchs expertise in the Python programming language helped him extract applicable facts easily and get a better concept of what was going down. He did this by constructing a Python script for all downloaded PDF files and allowing a simple search of all of the files.

Another expos© where technology tools played a significant role

The deceitful expense claims by UK parliament members exploded into a huge scandal and was documented for nearly an entire year. When news first broke out, journalists had the demanding job of searching through in excess of 500,000 documents and receipts. The Guardian appointed numerous volunteers to assist journalists make their way through the data. This was carried out by using data analysis and data visualization tools to analyze the info properly. The volunteers used technology tools to perform forensic analysis in the same way consultants would have traditionally done. The clear and easy to understand facts composed by the newspaper helped mobilize readers and generated considerable public interest.

In this regard, mapping of demographic data using software tools, also helped The Guardian to have an insight into the more recent rioting mishaps in the country. The newspaper used demographic data mapping techniques to compare the rioting with the UKs poverty details. This made it possible for a much more informed debate on the reasons for the horrific, headline-making riots.

How keeping up with technology helps

A substantial and dynamic programming language like Python is utilized frequently in the information security segment and for scripting in web applications. YouTube and Google make use of it, and so do correspondents as well as game developers. An understanding of data mapping and high-level programming languages will help not simply IT professionals, but those across various other industries too. Understanding essential languages by signing up for python training course programs or becoming more experienced with software that will be able to allow or speed up analysis and data mining, is quickly becoming necessary for correspondents.