WATCH: Rappler, AidData conclude 5-day data journalism camp on China’s dev’t finance

MANILA, Philippines – At least 10 journalists and campus journalists came together for a 5-day intensive Data Journalism Camp, hosted by Rappler in partnership with AidData, a research lab at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute in Virginia.

The program aims to equip aspiring and practicing journalists with critical tools on data analytics and financial and economic analysis to help them navigate trends and issues on Chinese aid and lending to the Philippines and to other parts of the world.

The 5-day data journalism camp, which was held from December 9 to 13, 2024, focused on building foundational data journalism skills — from understanding and analyzing development finance data to visualizing findings for compelling storytelling. Participants explored China’s foreign aid projects in the Philippines, with the goal of identifying trends, evaluating impacts, and investigating key narratives shaping public discourse.

Among the resource persons of the training were AidData’s Alex Wooley, Sethu Nguna, and Bryan Burgess. Rappler’s resource persons include Don Kevin Hapal, Gemma Mendoza, Chay Hofileña, Patrisha Estrada, Gillian Uy, Jodesz Gavilan, JC Punongbayan, Isagani de Castro Jr., and Maegan Ragudo.

With insights gained from this training, the next challenge is clear: turning data into powerful, evidence-based stories that inform and engage the public.

Watch some of the highlights of the training here. – Rappler.com