Make Data Cool Again, Numbers Have Voices Too
“Do ordinary readers really read such stories stuffed with data? I personally find it very difficult,” lamented a young journalist during a recent discussion. In response, a seasoned media researcher and political commentator shared how he once delivered a two-hour talk, using only numbers, to a civil society group composed of ordinary citizens.
“They understood every word I said. I have no doubt about that,” he reassured her.
This exchange set the tone for a one-day workshop on data-driven journalism led by Sreedev Krishna Kumar, data journalist at Hindustan Times. Known for his deeply researched, data-centric stories, Sreedev emphasized that numbers, when framed well, can be as compelling as any narrative. His central message: data journalism is not about complexity, it’s about clarity and connection.
Beyond Numbers: Framing, Context, and Credibility
Held on October 29, 2025 at the Integrated Startup Complex, Kochi, the workshop brought together journalists from various news organisations, along with students eager to explore how real numbers can reveal the realities shaping our world.
Sreedev walked participants through the anatomy of a data-driven story, beginning with asking the right questions and forming a preliminary hypothesis. Once the exploration begins, data can either confirm or challenge those assumptions. The crucial step, he stressed, lies in contextualising findings and framing them in relatable ways. Checking the methodology and sources behind every dataset is equally vital for maintaining accuracy and trust.
Participants also examined examples, including Sreedev’s own data report, “The Decline of Parliamentary Scrutiny,” which illustrated how rigorous data work can shed light on democratic processes. The session concluded with hands-on training on basic coding skills essential for data journalists.
Bridging the Old and the New Schools of Journalism
The workshop also sparked a lively debate between different generations of journalists. Younger reporters, working in fast-paced digital newsrooms, spoke about the pressures of deadlines and engagement metrics that make deep dives challenging. Veteran journalists, on the other hand, who were accustomed to manually sifting through records, found it difficult to adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.
Yet, both groups agreed on one point: credibility and perspective matter more than volume. The essence of good data journalism lies not in the abundance of information, but in how it is presented—with accuracy, transparency, and purpose. As one participant put it, the goal is not just to make sense of numbers, but to make numbers make sense, for each and every reader.
