Like using data but Hate getting it?

We've all heard that adding data to our stories can help give readers a different perspective. Let's face it though sometimes finding that data is a downright hassle and can take forever, depending on who your trying to get it from. I stumbled upon a website that might be rather helpful to any journalists who feel the same way about finding data.

The site for Investigative Reporters and Editors, or IRE.org has done the data gathering work for you. You can find the information in their data library on the site. The library contains data on air, waterway and road transportation, election campaigns, health, public safety, environment, business, federal spending and others. The site also contains different story ideas you could use the data for in your community. Here is a link to a story entitled Deadly Driving that the Star-Telegram in Texas did using some road transportation data.

The site is a great place to look for story ideas or to find data to add to your already developing story. Either way check it out.