Data Journalism in Asia

Trends and What’s Next

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng

Data Editor, Pulitzer Center

Founder, Data-N

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keng@pulitzercenter.org

kuangkeng@gmail.com

@kuangkeng

• Asia is HUGE!
• Asia is DIVERSE!
• Focus on regions that I’m familiar with
• Doesn’t include the Middle East

DISCLAIMER

• 182 out of the 545 (one-third) entries submitted to the Sigma Awards 2021 are from Asia.
• Higher than Europe and North America.
• More newsrooms are experimenting with #ddj.
• Established newsrooms are expanding their data teams.

TAKING ROOTS + EXPANSION

Asia has the highest number of entries in Sigma Awards 2021

HIDDEN GEMS

• Less visible
• Non-English
• Language barrier in international awards
• Focus on local/regional issues

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INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

WATCHDOG JOURNALISM

UNDERREPORTED PUBLIC ISSUES

HOSTILE & REPRESSIVE ENVIRONMENT

#DDJ IN CHINA

• Vibrant & thriving
• Many great projects were produced by students
• Optimized for Chinese apps e.g. Weixin
• Own dataviz tools e.g. Echarts, Hanabi
• Toe the party line

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*The competition has received 655 entries.

• SCMP (HK), Rappler (PH), Malaysiakini (MY), Kontinentalist (SG), Straits Times (SG), IndiaSpend (IN), Health Analytics Asia (IN), DAWN (IN), CGTN (CN)
• Kloop (KG), READr (TW), CW Magazine (TW), Punch Up (TH), MBC (KR), Hankookilbo (KR), SBS (KR), Nikkei (JP), Tempo (ID), KataData (ID), Caixin (CN), The Paper (CN), Stand News (HK), Initium (HK)

WATCH LIST (not exhaustive!)

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Close the gap between the established & beginners.
• Competition for limited talents.
• J-schools are still catching up.
• More data storytelling service providers.
• Data-driven cross-border collaboration.
• More creative in gathering data in a data-deprived environment.

THANK YOU!

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng

keng@pulitzercenter.org

kuangkeng@gmail.com � @kuangkeng�

Slides: bit.ly/gijc21-data-asia