Jacopo Ottaviani

Computer Scientist at Code for Africa

BIO

JACOPO OTTAVIANI (X, Linkedin) is a computer scientist who works as Code for Africa's Senior Strategist. As an ICFJ Knight Fellow in 2016-2019, Jacopo built teams and programmes supported by the World Bank, Google News Initiative, GIZ and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His mix of technical skills, as a computer scientist and data journalist, has resulted in a series of projects published by, among others, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, El País and Internazionale. He worked on multiple projects supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the European Journalism Center. He is a member of the European Press Prize preparatory committee and works as a trainer with BBC Media Action.

You have been involved in many transnational data journalism projects with support from international foundations. What are important factors for success in such collaborative projects and how can data journalism contribute to local empowerment, e.g. in data teams or civil society?

Most factors that determine the success of a transnational data journalism projects revolve around the construction of the right team, with the right mix of expertise, distinct areas of responsibility and a good leader who works as a project manager. Second, the team needs to know their audiences and ensure that the format they propose (whether it be a podcast, a series, a multimedia piece or a data-driven website) match with the audiences they are targeting. Finally, the team must know how to measure success and - from day one - establish objectives in terms of impact. Why is the team working on such a project and what is it trying to achieve or change? Articulating credible and realistic answers to this question can play a key role in ensuring the right support from foundations.

How do infrastructures matter for citizens?

Infrastructures play a key role in the development of economies and societies. Citizens who have the chance to use efficient, well-functional and sustainable infrastructures will have an easier life, better jobs and more opportunities. Infrastructures incentivise the circulation of ideas, goods and people. Better infrastructures help reduce time waste and will have an impact on life-work balance and the quality of life of their users. They unlock economic potential and facilitate the circulation of knowledge, among other things.

How should knowledge about infrastructures be communicated and what role can journalists, researchers or public officials play?

Data can play a key role in communicating knowledge about infrastructures. Open source data and new technologies such as maps, satellite imagery, 3D modelling and drone photos can be used to explain the impact of infrastructures on the beneficiaries' daily life. Explaining how many cars will be removed from the roads once a new metro line is up and running will help people understand why it is worth building it. Doing that with data and visual will amplify the impact of the communication. Communicators who vet and use data to explain how infrastructures work or will be designed to work will have a deeper impact in their audience. Finally, journalists can play the role of watchdogs and ensure that infrastructures are designed and built in full transparency and help monitor processes such as tenders and public/private contracts and partnerships as well as negative impacts on the environment (if any).