This week we see how satellite data can be used for storytelling, and we learn some ways that data reporting can improve breaking-news coverage.
PART 1: Storytelling with satellite images
The New York Times often incorporates satellite imagery into graphic presentations to tell far-flung stories in new ways. Graphics editor Derek Watkins explains how he and his colleagues gather and use these publicly available images.
Reporting by Katy Mersmann.
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Examples:
- A Rogue State Along Two Rivers (ISIS progression along the Tigris and Euphrates)
- Assessing the Damage and Destruction in Gaza
Resources:
- NASA’s Landsat program has been continuously capturing images of the planet since the early 1970s, with most of the material available to use for free. The site includes a list of resources that explain how to access and use the imagery and data.
- The U.S. Geological Survey’s EarthExplorer “allows users to search, download, and order data held in USGS archives through a number of query options.”
- Planet Labs and SkyBox Imaging offer private satellite imagery data.
- Google Earth offers several ways to search and view imagery of the world, including historical iimages and ground-level, street-view visuals. An online tutorial explains how to make it work.
- For a more complete compilation of tools, resources, guidance and examples, check out this list from Knight-Mozilla fellow Brian Jacobs.
PART 2: Data for breaking news
Analyzing databases is often reserved for lengthy investigations, but some news organizations are benefiting from using big data to inform breaking-news coverage. We get some tips from Stephen Stock, senior investigative reporter at NBC Bay Area; and Cheryl Phillips, Hearst Professional in Residence and data journalism lecturer at Stanford University.
Reporting by Tatiana Darie.
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Resources useful during breaking news coverage:
- Investigative Reporters and Editors maintains a library of databases specifically for use by journalists. The data sets are free to IRE members but also can be purchased individually.
- Geofeedia.com is a free platform that allows users to locate pictures, videos and other multimedia elements around a particular location.
- OpenStatusSearch.com searches the Facebook public timeline without logging in. The site can be used to find victims, witnesses, neighbors, etc.
- Banjo is a smartphone app that allows users to explore live events and breaking news through a collection of real-time posts from people around the world.
- Capture offers publishers access to user material directly from social-media platforms and smartphone cameras.
Reuben Stern is the deputy director of the Futures Lab at the Reynolds Journalism Institute and host and co-producer of the weekly Futures Lab video update.