Data Driven News: The First Principles
By JR/GEF 11/9/05 Rev 1.1
DDN will provide news reporting that embodies the following significant attributes:
Accuracy, verifiability and technical completeness
Analysis that is data driven, not point of view driven
Thorough technical analysis, especially with respect to events, the understanding of which is heavily dependent on the analysis and understanding of technical detail.
Market appeal will be the readers ease of getting to the root causes of issues. Similar to a 3D drawing that can be rotated and cross-sectioned for understanding.
Presentation of technical information to the reader.
- Various levels of technical detail will be available to the reader depending upon that reader’s interest level.
- Highest layer will be high school graduate understandable.
- Deepest layer will be specialized university graduate school readable.
- Resources at first will come from retired specialists.
DDN will NOT provide news reporting that embodies the following attributes:
• Speed to market
Reporting will not be driven by the need to compete with news organizations whose primary objectives include “getting there first”
Completeness and technical accuracy will trump speed in every case
• Market appeal based on sensationalism
Reporting will not be driven by appealing to markets who seek sensational stories (note: given that much of the market is driven by just such attributes, the market available to DDN is therefore reduced)
