The Role of Data Visualization in Media

It's not an easy watch, but we highly recommend this multimedia analysis by Vox on America's gun violence epidemic. It's among the most effective examples of data visualization we've seen. The straightforward charts, videos and hand-edits are central to the piece's argument, not distractions or add-ons.

The bar is lifting on data visualization, and that's a positive development for journalism. The New York Times is leading the way with the recent announcement of its first data editor, Amanda Cox. But as media outlets work to develop creative ways of displaying information, this Vox video is a reminder that sometimes simpler is better.