Sensor journalism[1] refers to the use of
sensors to generate or collect data, then analyzing, visualizing, or using the data to support journalistic inquiry. This is related to but distinct from
data journalism. Whereas
data journalism relies on using historical or existing data, sensor journalism involves the creation of data with sensor tools. This also includes
drone journalism.[2][3]
Background
Examples of sensor-based journalism (below) date back to the early 2000s[4] and usually involve the use of sensor tools to generate or collect data to be reported on. The way in which the sensors are deployed varies. In some cases, a journalist will learn how to operate and deploy a sensor (see
Houston Chronicle) while in others (see
WNYC Cicada Tracker), the sensors are built and deployed by the general public. Journalists can also request data from existing sensor networks (see
Sun Sentinel example) and remote sensors (see
ProPublica example).[5]
Sensors used for reporting can be closed source with expressly stated terms of use or open source, which allows for modification of the sensor downstream of development.[6]