Synopsis
The process
Over the course of this semester, I learned how journalism is not just about writing, but about gathering accurate information, working with data, and presenting it clearly to an audience. Through my project on police response times in San Diego, I learned how to analyze city documents, conduct interviews, and turn complex information into a story that people can understand. Overall, this class helped me develop both my reporting and digital storytelling skills.
Guidelines
I focused heavily on accuracy and the use of credible sources. I worked with city budget documents, data reports, and conducted an interview with a public information officer to make sure my reporting was well-supported. I made sure my story was data-backed and included as much context as possible so readers could understand the issue fully. Overall, I wanted to make sure my reporting was fair, clear, and reliable.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges I faced while working on this story was getting interviews. I had a difficult time finding officers who were willing to speak with me, which made it harder to get firsthand perspectives. Breaking down complex data into something that was easy for readers to understand was one of the more difficult parts of the process.
Opportunities
I was able to really focus on improving my reporting skills by looking at multiple sources, including large data sets and firsthand accounts. This helped me see how data can support a story and make it stronger. Overall, the experience allowed me to become more confident in my ability to research, analyze, and report on a real-world issue.
Digital media
This experience helped me understand how digital journalism allows a story to be presented in multiple ways. It showed me how important it is to think about how people consume information online and how to present reporting in a way that is clear and engaging.
google sheets
Using data and tools like Google Sheets was challenging, but it became easier as I learned how to organize and interpret the information. This experience helped me see how important data is in journalism and how it can be used to support key points in a story.
website building
Creating the website was something I initially found difficult to understand. Learning how to build the site took time, but as I worked on it throughout the semester, it became more intuitive. It helped me understand how important presentation is in digital journalism, not just the writing itself.
Enjoyable moments
The moments I enjoyed most while working on this project were analyzing the data and seeing patterns over time. I liked being able to look at how things changed and try to understand the reasons behind those changes. I also enjoyed the topic I chose, which made the project more interesting and engaging to work on.