Penplusbytes New Publication: Data Journalism in Ghana

The concept of data journalism and the interactions that facilitate this is explained in Penplusbytes’ new publication titled Data Journalism in Ghana. This paper (http://penplusbytes.net/publications/data-journalism-in-ghana/) asserts that Data Journalism is very much in its infant stages in Ghana particularly and Africa in general, though the practice is gaining significant grounds among practitioners over the last few years.

Having committed to building the capacity of journalists to tell more impactful stories through new digital tools and skills, Penplusbytes, through this paper, aims to explore the character of data journalism practice first within the Africa landscape and then in Ghana’s journalism sphere; advancing the need for Journalists and the media to take up and build these skills for effective news production and dissemination.

Data Journalism in Ghana article focuses on data journalism as an essential field needing critical attention by the Ghanaian media in order to enhance accuracy and professionalism in their field of work, detailing the current stage of this field and its huge prospects for news rooms.

The paper examines the stand-out characteristic of data journalism compared to the rest of journalism and reveals a distinction with traditional (other) journalism. It covers, also, the Relevance of Data Journalism within Ghana’s media landscape and takes a much holistic view of it in Africa.

According to the paper, published in September, 2015 and available online for download, not only is data journalism becoming another way to report a story; in a way, it is becoming the industry standard. It explains further that with data journalism practice comes new possibilities for ‘big news’ to happen; combining the traditional news, information search and the ability to tell compelling stories.
“Unlike Traditional media or journalism, data journalism begins in one of two ways; either you have a question that needs data, or a dataset that needs questioning. Whichever it is, the compilation of data is what defines it as an act of data journalism,” reads a portion of the republication.
Globally, it has indeed become evident that not only is data journalism evolving but as it does, so is journalism too. The Publication seeks to establish what this exciting new status of data journalism means for Ghana and her vibrant and largely “free press.”

ABOUT
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.

An Evening Encounter with Mrs. Teki Falconer on Data Protection

On Wednesday 30^th September, 2015 Penplusbytes’ New Media Hub will host the Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission (DPC), Teki Akuetteh Falconer on the Evening Encounter on Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (ACT 843).

This event comes on the heels of the call by the DPC on all institutions and individuals that collect, use, hold or process any kind of personal information on persons living in Ghana to register as Data Controllers or Data Processors and is set to provide an opportunity for the commission to further educate key stakeholders within this space to encourage compliance.

The Data Protection ACT regulates the process(es) by which personal information is acquired, kept, used or disclosed by data controllers and data processors by requiring compliance with certain data protection principles. The DPC ensures that, as required by law, noncompliance with provisions of the Act attracts either civil liability, or criminal sanctions, or both, depending on the nature of the infraction.

According to Kwami Ahiabenu, II,  Executive Director of Penplusbytes, “ As more and more users provide their personal information to third parties as they make use of advantages that come with the information age, it is imperative for users privacy and security to be guaranteed.” Mr. Ahiabenu added that Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (ACT 843) is coming at a crucial time since it will offer some protection to users and we expect this exciting Evening Encounter to provide a space for key actors to understand how they can implement this law.

Guests will hear what constitutes data under the ACT, which types of data need protection, what different categories of businesses and organisations should do to become compliant and what the ACT means for individual rights. They will also receive answers to questions on whether or not institutions and big Business are allowed to share or cross share information collected at one point with their partners and if individuals can ask for their data to be blocked or ask for access to family members records from an institution?

Mrs. Teki Akuetteh Falconer who has done extensive research and worked on policy issues affecting information technology and telecommunications law in Ghana for over a decade, will use the event to explain, engage and elicit ideas on data collection and usage in Ghana.


About Penplusbytes
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.

About Penplusbytes Evening Encounter
The Evening Encounter is a series that invites individuals who have made an impact with their work or who have subjects and stories of interest about corporate life to share. It's a platform for interaction with audiences who want to learn and grow in their own life journeys.