This document discusses recommendations for providing data to journalists in a more useful format. It suggests that data providers share the raw numbers and all underlying data behind aggregations and graphics, rather than just publishing fonts, colors, and logos. It also stresses the importance of including complete metadata about how the data was collected and any restrictions on its use, as well as making the data accessible through formats like spreadsheets and data portals instead of just PDFs. The goal is to enable journalists to more easily analyze and verify the data themselves rather than manually copying numbers.

1. What (data)What (data)
journalistsjournalists wantwant
Maarten Lambrechts Mediafin Open Belgium 2016

2. Preaching to thePreaching to the
choir, but...choir, but...

4. EurostatEurostat

5. We don't wantWe don't want

6. your fonts, colors,your fonts, colors,
background andbackground and
logologo

7. to trace yourto trace your
graphicsgraphics

8. to copy your datato copy your data
manuallymanually

9. We wantWe want

10. the rawthe raw
numbersnumbers

11. the numbersthe numbers
behindbehind
aggregationaggregation

12. your geofilesyour geofiles

14. Geluidshinder Zaventem druktGeluidshinder Zaventem drukt
woningprijzen tot 35 %woningprijzen tot 35 %

15. AccompanyAccompany
press releasepress release
withwith

16. a spreadsheeta spreadsheet
with all the datawith all the data

17. a deep link toa deep link to
your data portalyour data portal
*updated* portal*updated* portal
EurostatEurostat

18. MakeMake

19. graphics of thegraphics of the
highlightshighlights
but do it rightbut do it right
EurostatEurostat

20. aggregationsaggregations
but give all thebut give all the
datadata

21. ProvideProvide
metadatametadata

22. How was data collected?How was data collected?
Comparable/previous datasets?Comparable/previous datasets?
Differences with related datasets?Differences with related datasets?
For estimates: confidence!For estimates: confidence!
What can and can't be done with the data?What can and can't be done with the data?
What can and can't be concluded fromWhat can and can't be concluded from
data?data?

23. Matrix of commutesMatrix of commutes
Interactive: commuters to and from yourInteractive: commuters to and from your
municipalitymunicipality

25. Provide practicalProvide practical
detailsdetails
Contact detailsContact details of a personof a personof a personof a person
Right attribution, including linkRight attribution, including link
Next release?Next release?

26. Lots of data?Lots of data?

27. provide anprovide an
interfaceinterface
time-use.betime-use.be

28. give data in advancegive data in advance
& use embargo& use embargo
What couldWhat could
have beenhave been

29. Take awaysTake aways

30. Give all the dataGive all the data

31. Not in a pdfNot in a pdf

32. Readable andReadable and
complete metadatacomplete metadata

33. ThanksThanks
Maarten Lambrechts
|tijd.be lecho.be
@tijdgraphics
www.maartenlambrechts.be
@maartenzam