Data journalism practice is strongly influenced by political, economic, social, and cultural factors. While deemed to be a significant contributor to investigative and watchdog journalism in the West, capable of uncovering hidden truths to create an empowered citizenry, its practice in non-Western societies with stricter state influence or control of the press presents more obstacles to data access and reporting. This guest lecture uncovers the multitude of ways in which the state may shape data news coverage and journalistic sensibilities in such societies, using examples from the Covid-19 pandemic and its coverage in Asia, and the ways data journalists respond to such actions. The discussion will span all the stages of news production – from the news gathering and selection stages, to the newswriting and presentation stage – detailing the state’s ability to shape public discourse and opinion.
Lecturer and Media Researcher , Department of Communications and New Media, The National University of Singapore
Her research interests are journalism in the digital age, global journalism studies, the political economy of communication, media and democracy, and comparative media analysis.