Recommendations: Data and information sources
Online resources that are a treasure trove for ideas
As freelance journalists, we have to make ourselves stand out. News and feature desks already get bombarded with thousands of press releases. What they don’t necessarily have is the time, freedom and headspace to find new and interesting ideas just by having a little dig through the data. To find the thing that no one else has thought about.
Whether you are a specialist or a generalist, chasing national trends or uncovering local scandals, knowing where to dig for data and stories can make the difference between a generic pitch and one that gets commissioned.
Also having reliable, go-to sources for facts, figures to boost your pitches shows you have expertise and knowledge. It shows you have done your homework.
The UK is full to bursting with easily accessible open data and information that you can use to your advantage, that is if you know where to look. From local authority datasets to national statistics, these resources can honestly be a goldmine.
We have put together a by no means exhaustive list to get you going. Bookmark them, start browsing and never again have to stare blankly into space wondering where your next story idea is coming from.
