It has been four years since three Danish journalists attended bootcamp at NICAR in Columbia, Mo., where we learned how to use databases and spreadsheets in our work.
We had many discussions of how these brilliant methods could be used in Denmark, where we do not have the same tradition and access to electronic data. Even though the United States and Denmark are far apart, I must say that these methods have survived the emigration.
In April 1999, we founded DICAR, Danish Institute of Computer Assisted Reporting, which is located at the Danish School of Journalism in Ärhus. Here we share premises with the journalism students making their own Internet paper, Byline.
A lot has happened during the past year. The number of members of the Foreningen for Computerstottet Journalistik (Association of Computer Assisted Reporting), which was founded six months ago, has now reached 200.
How far we've come:
This spring we start teaching senior journalism students a ten week CAR-module. We have made an in-service course program in cooperation with DjE, The Danish Institute of Journalistic Supplementary Training. The program includes training in spreadsheets, databases, the use of Internet and other computer-based tools tailored for journalists. This is probably the beginning of a long-term collaboration with DjE, and it has already resulted in the hiring of a part-time course leader. Next month, we will gather for the third CAR-day, and we have a longer program than at previous CAR-days. We also arrange conferences and often introductory speakers at other events. The past 18 months, we have been running a web-site, www.dicar.dk, which is continuously updated with new services for members of Foreningen for Computerstottet Journalistik and services which are available to non-members. At the DICAR home page we are building tool boxes for journalists within different beats or subject areas. We are starting a bank of databases for our members. We have hired five students on a part-time basis to solve different assignments for DICAR.
Daily use of CAR
The number of media using CAR methods is steadily increasing, especially those using spreadsheets and self-made databases. But as always, there is a big step from theoretic lectures to using the methods on a daily basis for stories. We suffer from the fact that the media managers are very reluctant when it comes to new methods. It hurts CAR, but also many of the other good ideas of how the future journalist should work. It really shows in Denmark at the moment, where the journalism craft is affected by the recession in Denmark and the resulting resignations and changes in management. But some editors are slowly recognizing the advantages of CAR.
Our experience is that the authorities actually listen as we get access to still more data, and we seem to have a good dialog with a number of authorities.
In connection with the CAR work we have published, there have been a number of reports to authorities concerning electronic access to databases.
Our experience is that the authorities actually listen as we get access to still more data, and we seem to have a good dialog with a number of authorities.
We are still in good contact with the pioneers from United States and with some of our colleagues in other European countries.
We hope to extend this cooperation, especially with the idea of establishing joint initiatives throughout Europe concerning the right to electronic access to documents. In this connection we have worked out an English-language description of the current status of the right to electronic access of documents in Denmark and a description of the new rules from EU concerning personal data. (If you are interested in the descriptions you can e-mail dicar@dicar.dk.) Last, but not least, we are having a great time together while working cooperatively on DICAR-projects. These days we are beginning to take out re-subscriptions for the first time and of course we are anxious to see how that goes. Nils Mulvad can be reached by e-mail at nmulvad@po.ia.dk