Waiting for the big one

Last week in class, we got to skype with Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen K. Doig.

Doig was somewhat of a pioneer for Computer Assisted Reporting almost 20 years ago. It was interesting to hear about how things have changed over two decades. Doig said that if writing 'The Big One' today, initially the core question of the investigation – was this an act of God or something preventable – would still be the same. However what took almost three months to produce could be done in days. These days the data is easier to get to, more things are available electronically and the computer power is much stronger. But it is the inquisitive nature of a journalist that hasn’t changed.

Essentially Doig just had an interest in doing a data based story. He had no backgrounds in computers, just a little curiosity. It’s refreshing to know that one doesn’t have to have a background in math or science to be successful at computer assisted reporting. All you have to have is an interest in computers.

However, stories have to go a little further than having an interest. There has to be an element of human interest. If people don’t care about your story, why bother writing it? In this case, Doig found a story he knew was important to people and that’s why it was successful.

Doig also had things to say about what skills journalists need today. “Despite all talk of modern technology, computer assisted analysis does not replace traditional journalism; going out and talking to people,” he said. “They are vitally important.”

He encouraged every reporter to have passing knowledge of spreadsheets such as Microsoft excel. “Using paper is doing it the hard way,” he said. “Eighty-90 percent of stories can be doing using excel.”

However, Doig also said not to panic if you are not an expert. “No matter what beat you wind up doing, you will be working in an environment where basic data skills will be required,” he said. “There is a demand in journalism no matter what form. There are so many options for being a master in journalism – you don’t need to use all of them. Find the tools you are comfortable with, get good at them and find the opportunities to use them. You will wind up in the place you are meant to be.”