The Art & Science of the Comment Request for Data Journalism Stories

NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville 1

The Art & Science of Comment Requests for Data Journalism

StoriesCezary Podkul @Cezary

3/4/2017

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RoadmapThings to think about:

1. Expectations: What should you expect? What should you not expect?

2. Fairness: Striking the balance between being tough and fair.

3. Transparency: Ensure they understand your data & docs

4. Substance: How to maximize your chance of a meaningful response

3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville


ExpectationsLower them, if you haven’t

already3/4/2017

ExpectationsWhat is a request for comment, really?

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Negotiation for information.

. . . With the caveat that it often has to be done in writing vs. in person.


ExpectationsWhat should you expect out of a request for comment?

In a best-case scenario, they will:– Take you seriously– Look at what you sent them– Take the opportunity to correct anything–Give you some sort of answer

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… You’re lucky if you get one of the above


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ExpectationsWhat should you not expect?– They will not answer all your questions

(that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask them)– This is not a ‘model review’ … they will not

check all your numbers– They care about different things than you

do: reputation, reputation, reputation– Policy and politics trumps everything else

when dealing with governments



FairnessGive them a chance to

have their say3/4/2017

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Fairness

Quick poll – raise your hand if you’ve ever heard this:“Well, why should we talk

to you? It sounds as if you’ve already made up

your mind”


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Fairness

This is why the phrasing of your questions matters … a lot• Stay neutral• Don’t make any assumptions• Present the evidence and ask

about what it shows


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Fairness

My favorite questions to ask:• Lay out your numbers graf and ask,

point blank: “Do you dispute this?”• Give a quote from credible critic and

ask: “Please respond.”• Point out an inconsistency – you said

this, but then did something different – and ask: “Please comment.”



TransparencyShow them what you know

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Transparency

Sharing data and documents:


• Isn’t always possible; obligation to source is most important• But whenever you can do it:– It adds credibility to your reporting–Allows you to ask tougher questions–Gives you leverage

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Transparency

What do you do if you have a lot of docs or data to share?

Let’s look at some examples3/4/2017 NICAR 2017 | Jacksonville


SubstanceGet them to say

something meaningful3/4/2017

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Good Luck!


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Keep the conversation going!

[email protected] @Cezary


The Art & Science of the Comment Request for Data Journalism Stories

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