Research finds that simplistic and outdated communication tools narrows news focus, restricts user interactivity

Digital media technology has changed journalism considerably, and perhaps most obviously in data journalism. Data journalism uses the power of data analysis and visualization to develop news stories that can be highly engaging and accessible to the public. Yet, as this particular form of journalism matures, there are obstacles to its efficient sharing and consumption.

Research in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has looked at the pathways through which data-driven news is conveyed. Yizhou Gong of Macau University of Science and Technology and Zhihu Shi of the Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, China, used social network analysis and viral communication theories to identify the three main ways in which data-driven journalism is disseminated.

The team found that the efficacy of the different channels is often compromised by simplistic communication tools, many of which have been used since the early days of data journalism. This limitation has restricted user interactivity, as well as narrowing the focus on familiar subjects, such as finance and entertainment.

The team points out that early platforms sharing data journalism stories simply integrated text with basic visuals. Given the power of the mobile devices so many people carry with them at all times, the inadequacy of those early approaches, which are still widely used, emphasizes again and again how they fail to capture the public imagination in many cases. There is a pressing need for enhanced interactive features to engage the public once more in data journalism.

Moreover, the research points to a need to integrate adaptive recommendation algorithms to optimize how data news reaches the audience in the first place. Algorithms that might tailor content based on user interests and historical preferences could lead to a more personalized experience. Such an approach has the potential to broaden audience engagement and extend the reach of data-driven stories. This kind of change is essential if journalism, and specifically data journalism, is to remain relevant and thrive, the work suggests.