Cyber Investigations: Protest Action
This course will impart the basics of investigative data mining with data about violent protest action in municipalities around the country.
This hands-on course covers:
• The background of the Freedom of Assembly Documentation Project of the Open Society Foundation;
• Introduction to the protests and gatherings legislation;
• A geographical look at where protests are happening;
• How protests really relate to elections;
• Importing data into a spreadsheet from different sources in the correct format;
• Cleaning data;
• Mastering the absolute basics of a spreadsheet: columns, rows, functions, cursors, menus, tabs etc.;
• Calculations for getting the information you need;
• Finding patterns in the data by filtering, sorting and using pivot tables;
• Using bar graphs, scatter plots and pie charts to help understand trends and patterns in the data;
• Analysing the data and writing stories using the data;
• Putting trends or values into context and using data to ask the right questions;
• Creative ways of making data accessible to the reader; and,
• Useful tools, links and examples for further inspiration and trouble-shooting.
This course will focus on data drawn from a freedom of assembly documentation project, funded by the Open Society Foundation. Participates will investigate the truth behind the idea that there is a great increase in the number of violent protests. The project attempts to ensure that municipalities stop abusing the law, to de-escalate conflict between municipalities, and the police on the one hand, and aggrieved communities on the other. More information is available on http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-03-07-inside-rustenbergs-banned-protests/
It's all hidden in the data. Learn to find the facts and follow the patterns in the numbers.
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Sign up for the first two days and get a greatly reduced third day in Personal and Cyber Security with Mzilikazi wa Afrika in which you will learn:
• What surveillance journalists in the country are exposed to;
• How vulnerable your cellphone makes you and your sources;
• What counter-surveillance strategies you can be using;
• How to protect yourself online;
• How to protect your documents;
• Protect your privacy and that of your sources.
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Who should attend:
This workshop is designed for mainstream and beat journalists and is a core (basic) level course. It will particularly benefit investigative reporters, and aspiring investigative reporters, who want to use raw data sets for investigations, story ideas, context and fact-checking. It is also for journalists who want to dig deeper than press releases and who want to find new, fresh angles and perspectives for their reports.
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About the data mining trainer:
Anina Mumm has a background in laboratory science, having completed her BSc Hons in Biochemistry. This provided her with a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics and working with data in programs like Excel, as well as in interpreting and visualising data. She later switched to journalism, completing a BA Hons. She refined her skills through an award by the Taco Kuiper Foundation to attend the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference in 2013 in the USA. She is also an executive member of the South African Science Journalists' Association (SASJA).
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Had something else in mind?
The IAJ are the media training specialists. If you can't find what you're looking for on our website, please contact our Writing Unit Manager, Sandra Roberts on 011 482 4990 or [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
Time: 09:00 - 16:00
Venue: Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, Johannesburg
More info:
Institute for the Advancement of Journalism
1 Richmond Forum, Cedar Avenue, Richmond