Exploring Transparency in Data Journalism in the United Kingdom Through Ethical Tensions, Practical Challenges, and Organizational Influences

Transparency is one of the primary ethical practices in journalism. From traditional to modern journalism, maintaining transparency is a core consideration for journalists to sustain objectivity and audience trust as a social responsibility of journalism. This study also explores the transparency practices among data journalists in the United Kingdom (UK) under the social responsibility theory. Data acquired from data journalists indicated that UK-based data journalists recognize transparency as crucial, aiming to disclose methods, sources, and processes despite challenges like time constraints, data privacy, and audience engagement. Organizational support for transparency remained prominent but also emphasized a need for clear policies and better resources. Participants recommended ongoing professional development and training in data handling, visualization tools, and ethical practices to improve the credibility and transparency of the news reports. Participants also emphasized working collaboratively to enhance the transparency and credibility of the final news product.