Data in the spotlight at #CAJ16

OTTAWA, May 4, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists has a long tradition of being among the only Canadian conferences where journalists have been able to acquire data-journalism skills.

From the days when it was known as computer-assisted reporting, the CAJ has featured a full variety of data-journalism training at its annual conferences ranging from standalone sessions to intensive daylong workshops. #CAJ16 continues this tradition with a trio of Canadian data journalists.

CBC News' David McKie, King's College journalism professor Fred Vallance-Jones and Andrew McIntosh of AgenceQMI's investigations bureau – along with other special guests – will team up to lead a series of workshops focusing on the power of unlocking data. These award-winning journalists will be joined Friday and Saturday by experts from Esri Canada, distributors of ArcGIS.

A range of skills will be covered in these sessions – from ground-level stuff like finding, cleaning and analysing data using spreadsheets to more complex skills such as mapping and making analysed data interactive. Several sessions require pre-registration, which can be done via email once you've signed up for the conference or at the registration desk on Friday.

Registration is currently open for this two-day conference, with fees starting at $249 plus HST for CAJ members for the full weekend, including a ticket to the conference banquet and gala. Rates for unemployed journalists and CAJ student members start at $75. Discounts are available for CAJ Award finalists as well those registering in a group. These early bird rates will rise on May 20.

For those intending to stay at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, our conference room rates starting at $110 plus taxes and fees for a single room may still be available on request. Other preferential rates may also still be available.

The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing over 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide public-interest advocacy and high-quality professional development for its members.

www.caj.ca/caj16 | www.facebook.com/CdnAssocJournalists | www.twitter.com/CAJ

SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists

Nick Taylor-Vaisey, CAJ president, 647-968-2393, [email protected]; Hugo Rodrigues, #CAJ16 conference chair, [email protected]; Dale Bass, CAJ events committee chair, [email protected]; Registration questions can be sent to: [email protected]