Understanding and Contrasting the Data and Exploratory News Outlets

Abstract

Data and explanatory journalism are terms sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not quite refer to the same thing. While both aim at condensing large amounts of decontextualised or incomprehensible information into meaningful packages, the fundamental difference is that the former seeks to decipher narratives hidden in datasets and metrics, and the latter seeks to decipher the narrative hidden in news itself. This chapter will analyse differences between those specialist outlets: FiveThirtyEight, which could be considered a precursor to modern data journalism, Vox, with a focus on news explanation, and The New York Times’ The Upshot, a mix of the two disciplines. In an attempt to explain the explainers, this chapter will dissect them based on their apparent objectives, analytical methods, presentation, and trajectory.