Data Journalism Practice in Indonesia

Abstract

Data journalism in Indonesia has been evolving rapidly, with practices and challenges that are unique to the region. This article aims to provide an overview of the current state of data journalism in Indonesia, its potential for growth, and the barriers that need to be overcome. This article uses literature review method focusing on 11 publications relating to data journalism practice in Indonesia ranging from year 2018 to 2024. It shows that (1) the availability of open access data from Indonesian government that has some data credibility issues such as less integrated data, lack of raw data and digital divide of internet availability and coverage in some Indonesian region; (2) journalists’ competence of data skills from gathering to displaying (3) decision of building data journalism team is from top authority (4) good narrative enhances news values and audience engagement, (5) data journalism interconnect with news ecosystem in terms of news production and dissemination collaboration.  This study underscores the importance of enhancing the competency of Indonesian journalists, particularly in the realm of data journalism. To address this need, developing targeted training programs that improve data literacy and bolster newsroom data journalism teams is crucial. Additionally, future research should explore the impact of data journalism on audience engagement within the Indonesian news media ecosystem, providing insights into how different media platforms can better connect with their audiences. Furthermore, examining the ethical implications of data journalism, including transparency and validity in news production and dissemination, is essential to ensuring that innovation in this field aligns with journalistic integrity. 

Keywords: Data Journalism; big data; journalist competency; audience engagement; news ecosystem

References

Aitamurto, T., Sirkkunen, E., & Lehtonen, P. (2011). Trends in data journalism. Next Media, 0–27. http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/nextmedia/Deliverables-2011/D3.2.1.2.B_Hyperlocal_Trends_In Data_Journalism.pdf

Arief, M., & Muthmainnah, A. N. (2021). Data journalist : One data Indonesia (SDI) weak of data. Jurnal Spektrum Komunikasi, 9(2), 195–202. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37826/spektrum.v9i2.220

Asprilla, A., & Maharani, N. (2019). Jurnalisme data dalam digitalisasi jurnalisme investigasi tempo. Jurnal Kajian Jurnalisme, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.24198/jkj.v2i2.21362

Badri, M. (2017). Inovasi jurnalisme data media online di Indonesia. In A. Wikan & D. Hartomo (Eds.), The 4th Indonesia Media Research Awards & Summit (IMRAS) 2017- Tren Pola Konsumsi Media di Indonesia Tahun 2017 (Issue Oktober, pp. 356–378). Serikat Perusahan Pers.

Bossio, D., & Bebawi, S. (2016). Mapping the emergence of social media in everyday journalistic practices. Media International Australia, 161(1), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X16665494

Bradshaw, P. (2018). Data journalism teaching, fast and slow. Asia Pacific Media Educator, 28(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1326365X18769395

Coddington, M. (2015). Clarifying Journalism’s Quantitative Turn: A typology for evaluating data journalism, computational journalism, and computer-assisted reporting. Digital Journalism, 3(3), 331–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2014.976400

Fajarlie, N. I., & Monggilo, Z. M. Z. (2023). The data journalism practices in the production of investigative news videos by narasi TV. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik, 27(2), 123–140. https://doi.org/10.22146/jsp.79791

Hasanah, K., & Indah, S. N. (2023). Show and tell: Audience engagement in reporting on Covid-19 vaccination in data journalism-based media. Informasi, 53(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.21831/informasi.v53i1.54247

Heravi, B. R., & Lorenz, M. (2020). Data Journalism Practices Globally: Skills, Education, Opportunities, and Values. Journalism and Media, 1(1), 26–40. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia1010003

Hidayat, Z., & Hidayat, D. (2020). Data-driven journalism based on big data analytics: A model development from Indonesia’s experience. Journal of Content, Community and Communication, 10(6), 65–83. https://doi.org/10.31620/JCCC.06.20/06

Indah, S. N., & Hasanah, K. (2022). Infographic data visualization as an alternative form of news (Content analysis of covid-19 vaccine issues of data journalism-based media)*. The Indonesian Journal of Communication Studies, 15(1), 30–45. https://doi.org/DOI :https://doi.org/10.31315/ijcs.v15i1.7268

Indrajit, A. (2018). One data Indonesia to support the implementation of open data in Indonesia. In B. van Loenen, G. Vancauwenberghe, & J. Crompvoets (Eds.), One Data Indonesia to Support the Implementation of Open Data in Indonesia (pp. 247–267). T.M.C. Asser Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-261-3_13

Krumsvik, A. H. (2017). Redefining user involvement in digital news media. Journalism Practice, 12(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2017.1279025

Kusumawati, D. (2023). The dilemma of adopting innovation in media : study case of data journalism practice in Kompas. Jurnal Spektrum Komunikasi (JSK), 11(1), 36–50. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37826/spektrum.v11i1.411

Lewis, S. C., & Westlund, O. (2014). Big data and journalism: epistemology, expertise, economics, and ethics. Digital Journalism, 3(3), 447–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2014.976418

Lim, J. (2019). Representation of data journalism practices in the South Korean and US television news. International Communication Gazette, 81(1), 89–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048518759194

Marhamah, F. (2021). Jurnalisme di era digital. JICOMS: Journal of Islamic Communication and Media Studies, 1(1), 16–37. https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/40907

Mustaffa, N., Sannusi, S. N., Sauffiyan, A., Hasan, A., Zuwairi, M., & Saad, M. (2017). Journalism and news industry in Malaysia: New media, new challenges. E-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences and HUmanities, 2, 1823–1884. https://ejournal.ukm.my/ebangi/article/view/22222

Muthmainnah, A. N., Arief, M., & Fitriyani, N. (2022). Verification and Data Processing of Open Data for Data-Driven News Stories in Lokadata.id and Katadata.co.id. Jurnal Kajian Jurnalisme, 6(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkj.v6i1.37167

Nazir, M. (2014). Metode Penelitian. Ghalia Indonesia.
Nelson, J. L. (2019). The next media regime : The pursuit of ‘ audience engagement ’ in journalism. Journalism, 00(0), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884919862375

Notar, C. E., & Cole, V. (2010). Literature Review Organizer. International Journal of Education, 2(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v2i2.319

Nuh, M. (2019). Jurnalisme di era digital. In Perkembangan teknologi informasi dan jurnalisme (20th ed., pp. 4–5). Dewan Pers. https://dewanpers.or.id/

Palmatier, R. W., Houston, M. B., & Hulland, J. (2018). Review articles: purpose, process, and structure. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 46(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-017-0563-4

Popenoe, R., Langius-ekl, A., & Jervaeus, A. (2021). A practical guide to data analysis in general literature reviews. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057158521991949
Roza, A. (2022). Data journalism in Indonesia in the tme of hoaxes. University of Technology Sydney.

Sanusi, H. (2018). Jurnalisme data : Transformasi dan tantangan era digital. Jurnal Dakwah Tabligh, 19(1), 20–43. https://doi.org/10.24252/jdt.v19i1.5909

Stalph, F. (2020). Evolving data teams: Tensions between organisational structure and professional subculture. Big Data and Society, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2053951720919964

Stalph, F., & Borges-Rey, E. (2018). Data Journalism Sustainability: An outlook on the future of data-driven reporting. Digital Journalism, 6(8), 1078–1089. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2018.1503060

Sukmayadi, V. (2019). The Dynamics of Media Landscape and Media Policy in Indonesia. Asia Pacific Media Educator, 29(1), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/1326365X19844853

Tapsell, R. (2014). Digital media in Indonesia and Malaysia: Convergence and conglomeration. Asiascape: Digital Asia, 1(3), 201–222. https://doi.org/10.1163/22142312-12340012

Tsakarestou, B., & Pogkas, D. (2017). Data led newsrooms: Integration, collaboration and work flows in data first media organizations.

Veglis, A., Saridou, T., Panagiotidis, K., Karypidou, C., & Kotenidis, E. (2022). Applications of Big Data in Media Organizations. Social Sciences, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11090414

Weber, W., Engebretsen, M., & Kennedy, H. (2018). Data stories. Rethinking journalistic storytelling in the context of data journalism. Studies in Communication Sciences, 18(1), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.24434/j.scoms.2018.01.013

Widiantara, I. K. A. (2021). View of Tren Dan Fenomena Jurnalisme Data Pada Media Online Di Indonesia. Jurnal Danapati, 1(2), 118–125. http://jurnal.ekadanta.org/index.php/danapati/article/view/134/112

Yusuf, A. J., & Ahmad, N. (2024). Produk Jurnalisme Data di Media Digital pada Masa Pandemi. JURNAL IPTEKKOM Jurnal Ilmu Pengetahuan & Teknologi Informasi, 25(2), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.17933/iptekkom.25.2.2023.187-204

Zuhra, W. U. N. (2018). Data journalism in Indonesia : Practice , challenges , and barriers of doing data journalism in Indonesia. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2014.884344