Strong factual storytelling relies on good idea development. In this video, part of a series of video posts made for students on the MA in Data Journalism at Birmingham City University, I explain how to generate good ideas by avoiding common mistakes, applying professional techniques and considering your audience. The links mentioned in the video ..read more

In the latest in a series of posts on using generative AI, I look at how tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.ai can help help identify potential bias and check story drafts against relevant guidelines. We are all biased — it’s human nature. It’s the reason stories are edited; it’s the reason that guidelines require journalists to stick to ..read more

In the fifth of a series of posts from a workshop at the Centre for Investigative Journalism Summer School, I look at using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to help with reviewing your work to identify ways it can be improved, from technical tweaks and tightening your writing to identifying jargon. Having an editor makes ..read more

In the fourth of a series of posts from a workshop at the Centre for Investigative Journalism Summer School (the first part covered idea generation; the second research; the third spreadsheets), I look at using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to help with scraping. One of the most common reasons a journalist might need to ..read more

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can be a big help when dealing with data in spreadsheets. In this third of a series of posts from a workshop at the Centre for Investigative Journalism Summer School (the first part covered idea generation; the second research), I outline tips and techniques for using those tools ..read more

In the second of a series of posts from a workshop at the Centre for Investigative Journalism Summer School (read the first part on idea generation here), I look at using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to improve sourcing and story research. Research is arguably the second-highest risk area (after content generation) for using generative ..read more

Data journalism during the election lacked case studies and quotes from those outside of the Westminster bubble, according to an analysis of over 50 pieces published during the election campaign. But the rare exceptions offer examples of how we can do better election data journalism which sets the agenda and gives voters a louder voice. Read the full analysis here. It is part of UK Election Analysis 2024: Media, Voters and the Campaign, a publication which “captures the immediate thoughts, reflections and early research insights on the 2024 UK General Election from the cutting edge of media a ..read more

Generative AI can be used at all points in the journalism process: this post focuses on pre-production Last week I delivered a session at the Centre for Investigative Journalism Summer School about using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini for investigations. In the first of a series of posts from the talk, here are my tips on using those tools for idea generation. Generative AI tools may not be entirely reliable, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not useful. Journalism, after all, is about more than just gathering information: reporters also need to generate story ideas, id ..read more

Machine learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are two forms of artificial intelligence that have been used for years within journalism. In this video, part of a series of video posts made for students on the MA in Data Journalism at Birmingham City University, I explain how both technologies have been used in journalism, the challenges that journalists face in using them, and the various concepts and jargon you will come across in the field. PS: The MA courses at BCU have an open day this month: you can register here. The examples mentioned in the video include: Sky’s royal wed ..read more

Investigative journalists have been among the earliest adopters of artificial intelligence in the newsroom, and pioneered some of its most compelling — and award-winning — applications. In this first part of a draft book chapter, I look at the different branches of AI and how they’ve been used in a range of investigations. Investigative journalism’s close relationship with data journalism and open source intelligence (OSINT) provides fertile ground for experimentation with AI, and while the explosion of generative AI has opened up further territory for innovation, investigative journalism’s u ..read more