Global Development (SIG GlobDev)
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Paper Type
Complete
Paper Number
1705
Description
In this paper, we examine the practice of data journalism in India to highlight the politics that constitute as well as arise from the use of data in and as news. Drawing on the framework of data justice, we challenge the normative claims of data neutrality and objectivity by underlining the essentially political nature of data and the larger politics that shape access, use and meanings of data. We highlight four ways in which data politics can be observed: (i) data as a source of credibility, (ii) politics of data access, (iii) politics of censorship, and (iv) data as a new site of polarization. We position our findings within the larger discourse on datafication of development to argue that data in and of itself neither leads to justice or injustice. Rather it is the politics of and around data that unravels its actual potential and its consequences for development.
Recommended Citation
Chandhiramowuli, Srravya and Chaudhuri, Bidisha, "Politics of Data in & as News: A Data Justice Perspective" (2021). AMCIS 2021 Proceedings. 13.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2021/global_develop/global_develop/13
Politics of Data in & as News: A Data Justice Perspective
In this paper, we examine the practice of data journalism in India to highlight the politics that constitute as well as arise from the use of data in and as news. Drawing on the framework of data justice, we challenge the normative claims of data neutrality and objectivity by underlining the essentially political nature of data and the larger politics that shape access, use and meanings of data. We highlight four ways in which data politics can be observed: (i) data as a source of credibility, (ii) politics of data access, (iii) politics of censorship, and (iv) data as a new site of polarization. We position our findings within the larger discourse on datafication of development to argue that data in and of itself neither leads to justice or injustice. Rather it is the politics of and around data that unravels its actual potential and its consequences for development.
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