Data and Journalism. Between Big Stories and Dirty Surveillance

8 to 13 September 2014, Potsdam/Germany

In cooperation with the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP) and the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI)

This year’s M100 Young European Journalists Workshop, which takes place at part of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium for the tenth time, will consider the theme of ‘Data-driven Journalism’ (DDJ). In cooperation with the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences and the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, the participants will be taught about the basic applications and technologies of data-driven journalism.

Data-driven journalism goes far beyond the mere reproduction of statistics and tables. Journalists focusing on data actively employ data records, for example to substantiate and visually represent theories with figures, or to research journalistically relevant stories. In the last two or three years, the use and application of data has increased dramatically in importance for editorial teams, as has the addressing of ‘open data’ and ‘open government’. Terms such as ‘data mining’, ‘scraping’, i.e. the scraping of websites to obtain raw data, or the use of real-time data are just a few key words in this wide-ranging subject.

But the issue of the future of journalism, media freedom and the defence of democratic values in the era of big data is also to be discussed and illustrated in the workshop. To what extent is democracy endangered by data-mining security services and Internet companies? And how is the NSA scandal portrayed in other European countries? How, for example, has it been received in countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro and Greece, and what ramifications are participants from these countries able to report for their media and society? How do they handle data, what role is played by the defence of press freedom, protection of sources and personal privacy in handling and working with data?"

The M100 Young European Journalists Workshop aims to introduce selected participants to both sides of dealing with data: both the technical principles as well as the professional, responsible use of data and its benefits, but also the risks faced every day as a journalist. Not least, participation in the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium, which will be attended by 50 to 60 senior editors, academics, bloggers, politicians and representatives of major Internet companies from Europe and the USA on 12 September 2014. The subject of ‘Media Freedom in the Era of Big Data’ will be discussed in two sessions, giving the participants a deeper insight and knowledge of this subject.

Conditions of participation:
Young journalists between 18 and 26 years old from all over Europe (including non-EU countries) can apply by submitting a  text in English (1.000 words maximum) and the following task:
"Data and Journalism in my country". Describe your own experiences, your knowledge and your personal data handling; what you are associating with data, if and how you are using them in your (journalistic) work, if you see more advantages or disadvantages in using data and what significance the issue "Big Data" has in your country.

Please include a brief CV (with a photo) and motivational statement in your application, stating your reasons for applying for this particular workshop (both in English). 20 to 25 participants will be selected from among the applicants and invited to Potsdam from 7 September (arrival) to 14 September 2014 (departure). The organisers of the M100 Young European Journalists Workshop will cover accommodation and board during the workshop. A travel allowance is provided. The workshop will be held in English.

Please send your application in by 23 June 2014 to Ms Sabine Sasse, s.sasse(at)m100potsdam.org.

The workshop is an initiative of the City of Potsdam and Potsdam Media International e.V., and supported by the Federal Foreign Office, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and takes place in cooperation with the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP) and the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in the course of the IKT, Media, and Creative Industrie Cluster Berlin Brandenburg, and the European Youth Press, amongst others.