The data journalist network. Profiles, skills, routines and tools of professionals in Spain and Latin America

Abstract

In the data journalism field, professionals are one of the key nodes within a complex human and technological network. This study, based on the Actor-Network Theory (ANT), seeks to determine the relationships between the actants involved in a specialized field defined by hybridization and complexity from two dimensions: cognitive and normative. It delves into the education, specialization, teamwork, working conditions and tools that apply to data journalism. The field work was carried out through a survey (n=208) using an open database with a web directory format (n=296). The resulting profile is that of a Journalism graduate who is not specialized in data, with a predilection for analysis and research, accustomed to working in a team, with limited experience, low job stability, and expertise in digital resources for processing and viewing data. The research confirms that data journalism operates at the heart of an overlapping network featuring various types of interconnected professionals as well as social, cultural and technological structures.