Google News Lab

Definition

Google News Lab is an initiative that collaborates with journalists and media entrepreneurs to drive innovation and foster excellence in storytelling. This platform provides tools and training to aid journalists in leveraging digital tools for more impactful news reporting. GIS technology, such as online mapping tools and data visualization platforms, plays a crucial role in helping users analyze, visualize, and share geographical data in this context.

What is Storytelling around the globe with Google Maps and Fusion Tables?

Storytelling around the globe with Google Maps and Fusion Tables refers to the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to create interactive and compelling narratives that enhance news stories. Google Maps provides the digital mapping interface necessary to visualize geographic locations and embed them within news stories, while Fusion Tables act as the underlying data management tool that allows journalists to handle large datasets efficiently. With these tools, journalists can create rich, data-driven stories that are enhanced by geographic context, enabling audiences to better understand the spatial dimension of news events occurring around the globe.

Using these platforms, journalists can input data into Fusion Tables for organization and analysis, and then layer that data onto Google Maps to produce interactive maps. These maps can depict everything from the geographic spread of a phenomenon to simply pinpointing exact locations pertinent to a news story. By integrating these maps within news articles, stories gain a visual component that can make complex data more accessible and engaging for the audience.

This approach enables storytelling that is both informative and visually appealing, allowing consumers of news to interact with the data directly and explore additional layers of the story. It can be particularly effective in enhancing reports on international news events, local incident mapping, global phenomena, or any story where geography plays a critical role.

FAQs

What are the benefits of using GIS in news storytelling?

GIS provides a visual dimension to storytelling that can make complex information more accessible and engaging, allowing readers to interact with data and understand how different elements of a story are connected geographically.

How do Fusion Tables enhance news reporting?

Fusion Tables allow journalists to effectively manage and analyze large datasets, making it easier to identify patterns and present information in a coherent way. When paired with digital maps, they enable richer, data-driven storytelling.

Can these tools be used by all journalists?

Yes, these tools are designed to be used by journalists of varying technical expertise. Training and resources provided by platforms like Google News Lab can help journalists understand how to integrate GIS into their storytelling.

Are these tools still available for use?

Fusion Tables has been discontinued, but similar functionalities can be achieved through other data management and visualization platforms that integrate with digital mapping services.