Dubai Press Club organizes workshop for journalists on data journalism

“Argaam” Delivers Session on Data Journalism as Part of DPC’s “Advanced Economic Journalism” Program

- Maitha Buhumaid: “Data Journalism helps maintain real and accurate economic news.”

- Islam Zween: “In a fast-paced and data-driven world, media professionals face big challenges and difficulties in understanding changing data.”

Dubai Press Club (DPC), in partnership with DP World, organized its latest training workshop on Tuesday focused on data journalism and how data can be used to improve reportage. The interactive workshop, held at its headquarters, was among a series of sessions organized with DP World as part of the “Advanced Economic Journalism” program, which aims to introduce journalists to best practices in financial markets, both locally and globally, and improve the quality of business reporting.

During the session, delivered by financial news-portal company Argaam in collaboration with DPC, participants got the opportunity to learn about the techniques of data journalism and how to use powerful data-analysis tools to assess data. They were also trained on understanding the most important economic indicators which would help them in creating a compelling editorial product.

Commenting on the occasion, Director of Dubai Press Club Maitha Buhumaid highlighted that the digital age offers people easy access to information from multiple sources, however the rapid flow of information increases the spread of fake news. As a result, she said, journalists today face a number of new challenges in maintaining real and accurate economic news.

"This type of economic journalism serves a very important purpose today, especially if we look at how closely it is linked with global markets and economic indicators. Markets constantly face financial surprises and fluctuations, most of which remain incomprehensible or unexplained because of the lack of clear analysis,” she said.

Buhumaid noted that program comes as part of DPC’s objective of supporting the region’s media community in developing their professional skills and enhancing their understanding of best practices and the larger economic environment.

Meanwhile, Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam said in a fast-paced and data-driven world, media professionals face big challenges and difficulties in understanding changing data. He added that the data-publishing team at Argaam have acquired accumulated experience in economic reporting and are highly-skilled in analyzing data and extracting useful news stories for readers.

He further said that the Argaam portal is considered a primary source for financial information as it provides real-time updates on financial markets, mainly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, as well as market data and analysis.

“Argaam’s economic team focuses on publishing news reports that reflect the pulse of the financial markets. They also work around the clock on economic topics relevant to the region and the world, taking into account how this can benefit the investors community and financial analysts across the GCC,” said Zween.

DPC organizes a number of workshops and interactive sessions throughout the year in partnership with leading media organizations to equip journalists with the skills required to cover various events and write in-depth news stories and analysis while maintaining high journalistic standards. Targeting mainly media professionals and youth, including people interested in the media field, the program aim to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for the media industry.