In recent years public data sources have become an important source of information for investigative and depth reporting. Journalists are increasingly using computer spreadsheets and database programmes to find stories or details stored in collections of electronic records, which are often public. This is what has come to be known as computer assisted reporting or database journalism.

ACME will be conducting a database journalism workshop from Monday, 24th to Thursday, 27th October at our base in Bunga, Kampala.

The project is funded by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), a non-profit organisation that informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations.

The training workshop is open journalists who are interested in reporting on development issues.

During the training, journalists will learn or improve their skills in the following areas:

• How databases work;

• How to interrogate databases and dig for stories;

• How to use spreadsheets and database-management software to mine data stored in electronic form;

• How to use the Internet to locate and access useful databases;

• How to analyse data and make sense of statistical information;

• How to build databases;

• How to find trends/patterns and generate stories based on statistics/databases;

• How to add depth and life to the numbers.

Participants will also have an opportunity to put what they have learnt into practice through applying for reporting grants to conduct field research and write compelling stories based on statistics. The details of this competitive process will be announced in due course.

To apply for the training workshop, send a statement of interest, including the area you would wish to work on (e.g. health, population, environment, courts/justice, education) with the aid of databases to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it not later than Thursday, 20th October 2011.

Only 12 slots are available.