Editorial Standards

The News in Data is one person, me, Samuel W. Bennett, turning the news into charts. I started doing this in 2016 on the original News, in Data site, and this page explains how I pick stories, where the numbers come from and what happens when I get something wrong.

How do I pick a story?

I start with a question I actually want answered, usually one sparked by the news, by a new data release, or by something a reader asked. If the data can't answer the question, I don't publish a chart that pretends it can.

Where does the data come from?

I use primary sources wherever I can, such as government agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CDC and NOAA, research groups like Pew, sports leagues, and company filings. Every story ends with its sources and a short note on the method, so you can check my work. When a number comes from a single source, a company's own report or an estimate, I say so in the story.

Who makes the charts?

I do. Every chart on the site is made for the story it sits in, and I don't use stock charts or another outlet's graphics. When a story builds on someone else's analysis, I name them and link to their work, the same way I did on the old site.

Do I use AI?

I use software to help pull data, run calculations and check spelling and math, and some of that software includes AI tools. I choose every story, check every number against its source, and edit every sentence before it goes up. If a tool and a source disagree, the source wins.

What happens when I get something wrong?

I fix it in the story itself and add a dated note at the bottom saying what changed. I don't quietly change numbers. If you spot an error, send it through the contact page with the story's title and the figure you think is wrong, and I'll check it against the source.

Who pays for this?

The site runs ads through Google AdSense, and advertisers have no say in what I cover or how. I don't take payment to write about a company or a cause. If I ever run a sponsored chart, it will be labeled as sponsored at the top. I've pledged all of the site's profits to charity, split among the Bindu Sky Memorial Fund, the Education Foundation of Eagle County, World Cup Dreams and Austin Serving Abaco, and I cover hosting and basic costs myself.

What about the old posts?

Stories tagged Archive come from the original News, in Data site (2015 to 2017). I've left their text and charts as they ran then, with a note at the top of each one, so some of the data is out of date.

How can you reach me?

Use the contact page. I read everything that comes in, including the messages that tell me a chart is wrong.