Data Journalism and the Covid-19 Disruption

Data Journalism and the COVID-19 Disruption offers an international, multidisciplinary account of how and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic has been a blessing for data journalism.

Bringing together insights into current developments in data journalism during (and since the onset of) the COVID-19 pandemic from world-leading data journalism practitioners and academics, the book draws on case studies and examples from different countries to critically reflect on emerging data journalism practices during the pandemic and their sustainability and implications for journalism and newsroom work in the post-pandemic era. The chapters document changes in the practice and integration of data journalism into newsrooms and the 24/7 news cycle after the unexpected onset of the pandemic, and explore how newsrooms and journalists are coping with the sudden and immense demand for data journalism and related challenges. The book also scrutinizes the implications for understanding the roles played by newsroom structure and operation, the uncertain nature of data, and the relationship between journalism and other social entities such as audiences and the state in journalism’s development through times of crisis.

Offering a timely contribution to the discussions on how data journalism evolved during a time of crisis, this volume will appeal to scholars and students of data journalism, journalism practice, media and communication studies, and media industry studies.

Jingrong Tong is Senior Lecturer in Digital News Cultures at the University of Sheffield. She is the author of Data for Journalism: Between Transparency and Accountability and seven other books. Her current research focuses on media freedom, the impact of digital technology on journalism, and social media communication of social issues.