Comments on: Journalists DO need to know computer programming

By: Where’s the Grant to Teach Journalists how to Code: Take II « DigiDave – Journalism is a Process, Not a Product

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:28:25 +0000

[...] There seems to be a general consensus: In the end, it’s probably better to have people specialize in specific areas (editorial and development) — although some people disagree. [...]

By: One year of wmhartnett.com: Lots of cat pictures, idle opinion-mongering : William M. Hartnett

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:40:28 +0000

[...] 265 page views: Journalists DO need to know computer programming (June 6, 2007) [...]

By: Pat Thornton

Pat Thornton — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:52:32 +0000

All journalists should be willing to continue their education in some manner over time, whether it be books, classes, seminars, etc. Lawyers continuously get new training and have to stay up-to-date. That’s the same for many professions.

So, why not journalists? But you can’t force improvement on anyone. People have to want to do it on their own. Otherwise they won’t retain anything or be very good at what they “learned.”

By: William M. Hartnett

William M. Hartnett — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:36:24 +0000

It really comes down to continuous, individual self-improvement, doesn’t it? If you’re a basket weaver, surely you’d want to learn how to weave better baskets. Shouldn’t be different in journalism or any other profession.

(I can’t stop relating everything to basket weaving today. I blame the basket-weaving plot of last night’s King of the Hill.)

Learning to work with data as a journalist is a pretty good investment in yourself. Not one that everyone could or should be expected to make, but a good one nonetheless for the right sort of person.

By: Pat Thornton

Pat Thornton — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:12:14 +0000

It’s amazing how many newsrooms and journalists don’t understand the power of data. I sense very little interest in most parts of my newsroom, but I am learning MySQL right now, whether or not I ever use it at work.

And if I don’t, I’ll find someone else who wants my skills. A lot of people feel like programming isn’t for journalists, and I hear this from time to time. But I’m going ahead and learning new stuff all the time.

I’ve been doing Web design for many years, but it is time for me to transition to more of a Web development role. I’m thinking of signing up for a few comp sci classes this upcoming year to get some more structured experience and a better understanding of the theories behind comp sci.

Newspapers need journalists will varied skill sets. We all can’t just be writers and copy editors anymore.

By: O novo tipo de profissional que está reinventando o jornalismo online - pedro valente

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:00:40 +0000

[...] A + B faz sentido? Porque um jornalista deveria aprender a programar? E porque deve se meter com python e Django ou com qualquer outra [...]

By: When it comes to newspaper video, focus on the bigger picture : William M. Hartnett

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:58:24 +0000

[...] I’m talking about programming. Again. This time, I’ll just leave it at [...]

By: (J)journalist/(P)programmer | SOJo: Student of Online Journalism

(J)journalist/(P)programmer | SOJo: Student of Online Journalism — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:05:56 +0000

[...] Hartnett: “Journalists need to know programming. Not all of us, but some.” He differentiates between Programming and programming, and argues [...]

By: mind new media » Blog Archive » Why (some) journalists should learn (some) code

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:18:28 +0000

[...] and want to learn, where’s my scholarship? Journalists don’t need to learn to program. Yes they do. No they [...]

By: William M. Hartnett » Blog Archive » Programmin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:21:45 +0000

[...] Just in cast I was not clear enough the first time around, I’m not even remotely saying that ALL journalists need to become proficient in a programming language. That would clearly be insane. As with any skill, whether it’s scripting or video editing, only those of us with a specific journalistic reason to dabble in code need do so. If you want to work in a newsroom in Miami, you better speak Spanish. If you want to work with data in any newsroom anywhere, you will run into a problem that requires you to start messing around with a scripting language. It’s inevitable. [...]