The Benefits of Mapping for Journalists
December 23, 2022 . 3 min read . Author: Michael Milner
In today’s digital landscape, mapping is becoming increasingly important for people in various industries, and journalists are no exception here. By using mapping tools, reporters are able to quickly crowdsource information and visualize the data to provide readers with better, more compelling stories. From uncovering hidden trends to telling stories in illustrative ways, journalists can take advantage of cutting-edge technology in a number of ways. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key benefits of mapping for journalists.
Table of contents
What is mapping?
Mapping is the process of gathering and organizing geographically-referenced data into visual representations such as maps, diagrams, and graphs. It allows journalists to quickly and accurately visualize data which gives them a better understanding of the information they’re working with.
Moreover, using solutions like social mapping apps helps reporters crowdsource data more effectively to tell compelling stories and show how things change over time.
Let’s discuss the most noteworthy benefits of mapping for journalists.
Top benefits of mapping for journalism?
What are the benefits of mapping for journalism and why is it worth incorporating it into everyday work?
- Uncovering hidden trends – mapping tools can be used to crowdsource information and uncover hidden trends that would otherwise remain unseen. By looking at data and information presented in an easy-to-understand format, journalists can quickly identify various patterns or correlations and make use of them.
- Increasing story impact – by using mapping tools to visually display data, journalists can increase the impact of their stories, allowing readers to better understand the information and make connections between different locations or pieces of information.
- Illustrating ideas – if you’re looking for a simple and effective way to present abstract concepts and ideas or show how certain things change over time, you’re in the right place. Creating maps with special tools like YouMap will allow you to gather different pieces of information and present it in eye-catching form. Journalists can use maps to show the effects of various events and actions in specific locations. For example, they can highlight areas and places in Ukraine affected by the war. This helps to increase awareness and spread the word.
- Creating engaging content that resonates with the target audience – by visually displaying data, journalists are able to tell stories that stand out. Maps and diagrams can also include interactive content to engage recipients.
- Making data more accessible – what is one of the most important benefits of mapping for journalism? By using such tools, journalists can make complex data easier to understand and tell stories in a more concise and effective way to make them more accessible to a wider audience.
All in all, mapping tools are great for visualizing data and telling stories in a unique and engaging way. They help readers better understand the information and make connections between different pieces of information.
Where to start?
If you’re a journalist who wants to enjoy the vast array of benefits of mapping, you should definitely check out YouMap.
This intuitive and easy-to-use social mapping app is a great aid for all professional reporters who strive to tell stories in a powerful and impactful way. If you want to find a unique source of information, this free iOS application will help you mark your presence in the journalistic world. One good example is this Ukraine Map created with the mapping app, YouMap.
The takeaway
What are the benefits of mapping? Mapping tools provide journalists with a powerful tool that can be used to uncover hidden trends, increase story impact, illustrate ideas, create engaging content, and make data more accessible to readers. By using advanced and modern tools, reporters can provide readers with a better understanding of the data and create meaningful stories.
Want to learn more? Check out: What is a social map?