OSCE supports national training on data-journalism through the use of open data in Ukraine

From 20 November to 10 December the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in co-operation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, delivered four online training sessions aimed at improving the capacities of investigative journalists and civil society on data-journalism, data analysis and visualisation through the use of open data and digital tools.

Twenty participants, selected among 516 applicants representing various media and civil society organizations committed to exposing corruption, successfully completed the online course that focused on the theory and practice of data visualization, data analytics and data storytelling.

“The current digital format of media and information distribution, the wide availability of open source data visualization software, as well as the open data published by governments and business, are key in increasing transparency and accountability of public and private sectors if used and monitored properly. Watchdog activities play a critical role in ensuring this. It is therefore important that such watchdog groups have up-to-date knowledge on innovative tools and instruments to identify, monitor, analyse, use and re-use government disclosures on its decisions and expenditures of public funds,” said Eni Gjergji, Economic Adviser at OCEEA.

The training marked the start of the implementation of activities in Ukraine in co-operation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation. They were organized in the framework of the extra-budgetary project, Promoting good governance and a positive business climate in the OSCE region through digitalization and the use of open data funded by the United States and Poland.