Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 31, 2026

Sensor journalism

Sensor journalism refers to the use of sensors to generate or collect data, then analyzing, visualizing, or using the data to support journalistic inquiry. This is related to but distinct from data journalism. Whereas data journalism relies on using historical or existing data, sensor journalism involves the creation of data with sensor tools. This also includes drone journalism.

Last revised
May 31, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗

Sensor journalism1 refers to the use of sensors to generate or collect data, then analyzing, visualizing, or using the data to support journalistic inquiry. This is related to but distinct from data journalism. Whereas data journalism relies on using historical or existing data, sensor journalism involves the creation of data with sensor tools. This also includes drone journalism.23

Background

Examples of sensor-based journalism (below) date back to the early 2000s4 and usually involve the use of sensor tools to generate or collect data to be reported on. The way in which the sensors are deployed varies. In some cases, a journalist will learn how to operate and deploy a sensor (see Houston Chronicle) while in others (see WNYC Cicada Tracker), the sensors are built and deployed by the general public. Journalists can also request data from existing sensor networks (see Sun Sentinel example) and remote sensors (see ProPublica example).5

Sensors used for reporting can be closed source with expressly stated terms of use or open source, which allows for modification of the sensor downstream of development.6

Sensor journalism modules have been taught at Emerson College7 (around water quality/contamination) and Florida International University (around sea-level rise).891011 San Diego State University planned an air-quality sensor-journalism module for spring 2015.12

Examples

  • Houston Chronicle, In Harm’s Way13
A study about toxic chemicals in the air in public parks.
  • USA Today, Ghost Factories14
A series that looked at lead-contaminated soil in neighborhoods around previous U.S. lead factories.
  • Sun Sentinel, Above the Law15
A series about the tendencies of cops to speed.
  • WNYC Cicada Tracker16
A project that revolved around the emergence of Magicicada.
  • Washington Post, ShotSpotter17
A project with 300 acoustic sensors across 20 square miles in D.C.
  • Planet Money, Planet Money Makes a T-shirt18
A project that followed the production of a shirt from beginning to end.
  • ProPublica, Losing Ground19
A study of sea-level rise in Louisiana.

Tools and platforms

References

References

  1. Sensors & Journalism, Tow Center report, 2014
  2. Culver, Kathleen Bartzen. "From Battlefield to Newsroom: Ethical Implications of Drone Technology in Journalism," Journal of Mass Media Ethics (2013)
  3. Drone journalism, Wikipedia.
  4. Sensors & Journalism, Tow Center report (see 'Case studies,' 2014
  5. Tow Center blog, "ProPublic Satellites and the Shrinking Louisiana Coast
  6. Sensors & Journalism, Tow Center report, "Closed Source Initiatives" p. 164, 2014
  7. ""Sensor journalism student reflections"". Archived from the original on 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
  8. "Gutsche, Robert. King Tide Day project from Florida International University". Archived from the original on 2022-10-29. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
  9. Lean, Rachel. "King Tide Day: Students Gather on Miami Beach To Combat Sea Level Rise Apathy," Miami New Times (2013)
  10. TODAY Show. King Tide Day (2014)
  11. Gutsche, Robert "RECIPROCAL (AND REDUCTIONIST?) NEWSWORK An examination of youth involvement in creating local participatory environmental news," Journalism Practice (2015)
  12. "What's In the Air?" project from San Diego State University
  13. Houston Chronicle, In Harm’s Way
  14. USA Today, Ghost Factories
  15. Sun Sentinel, Above the Law
  16. WNYC Cicada Tracker
  17. Washington Post, ShotSpotter
  18. Planet Money, Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt
  19. ProPublica, Losing Ground
External links