DATA-DRIVEN JOURNALISM: ADVANCING NEWS REPORTING THROUGH ANALYTICS WITH A PRISMA-GUIDED REVIEW

Abstract

This study explores the transformative role of data-driven journalism, examining how data analytics and visualization have reshaped the news landscape by enhancing accuracy, storytelling depth, and audience engagement. By systematically reviewing a total of 65 papers, this study synthesizes findings across diverse facets of data-driven journalism, including the role of data scientists and analysts in newsrooms, the application of data visualization techniques, and the challenges posed by integrating data analytics in journalistic practices. The review identifies significant benefits, such as improved accuracy and interactive storytelling, which have allowed journalists to engage audiences more effectively by presenting complex information in accessible, visual formats. However, it also highlights substantial challenges, including data collection and integration issues, skill gaps among journalists, and limitations of existing tools, which hinder smaller news organizations from fully adopting data-driven approaches. Ethical considerations, such as data privacy, transparency, and bias, emerge as essential components in the responsible practice of data journalism, with audiences increasingly expecting transparency and accountability. The study concludes that while data-driven journalism holds tremendous potential to enrich public discourse and foster audience trust, addressing these technological, ethical, and skill-based challenges is critical to realizing its full impact on modern media.