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Abstract

This study investigates the ethical dimensions of data journalism, an area of growing public importance in journalistic practice, by examining journalists’ discussion related to controversies over handling of gun permit data. Three discussion threads on the listserv of the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting were analyzed. Frames were freedom versus responsibility, privacy and verification, consequences, and alternatives. The findings highlight the benefits of pooling the practical wisdom of participants in an evolving practice. They also suggest recommendations for evaluating the ethics of data journalism.

Keywords

data journalism ethics practice technology

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