Behind the numbers: revealing a better story
Date: July 6th, 3.45 – 6pm
Venue: Royal Statistical Society, 12 Errol St, EC1Y 8LX
Numbers and statistics can illuminate a story and provide much-needed context. But often they’re used as window-dressing or worse. At this workshop for journalists, we’ll hear from a range of organisations about how and why they critique the numbers in the media. They’ll share their tips on how journalists can sharpen their statistical tools to dig out the real story and avoid common pitfalls.
The workshop will be followed by an evening debate on churnalism, organised by the Media Standards Trust (details to follow). The workshop is free of charge, but please register using EventBrite.
Speakers
- Nigel Hawkes, Straight Statistics
Straight Statistics is a pressure group whose aim is to detect and expose the distortion and misuse of statistical information, and identify those responsible. It was formed by a group of legislators, statisticians and journalists, chaired by the Labour peer Lord Lipsey. - Patrick Casey/Owen Spottiswoode, Full Fact
Full Fact is an independent fact-checking organisation which makes it easier to see the facts and context behind the claims made by the key players in British political debate and press those who make misleading claims to correct the record. - Richard Knight and Richard Vadon, More or Less (BBC Radio 4)
More or Less is devoted to the powerful, sometimes beautiful, often abused but ever ubiquitous world of numbers. The programme was an idea born of the sense that numbers were the principal language of public argument. And yet there were few places where it was thought necessary to step back and think about the way we use figures – in the way we often step back to think about language. - Rob Cook, Bazian
Bazian provides the analysis behind NHS Behind the Headlines, an unbiased and evidence-based review of health stories that make the news. The service is intended for both the public and health professionals, and endeavors to explain the facts behind the headlines and give a better understanding of the science that makes the news.
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