We do better when we do data sharing: Google executive

In the age of social media and fast technological change, data sharing is the currency of the future.
This was given emphasis by Carlo d'Asaro Biondo, Google president for strategic partnerships, EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa), at the 17th Arab Media Forum in Dubai on Tuesday.
"By sharing data intelligently, people will learn more of the context and have better understanding of things and the value of information can be multiplied four or even six-fold. Sharing data is what will make economies grow," Biondo added.
Sharing his thoughts on the topic, 'Building a Stronger Future for News', the Italian national said: "Quality journalism is anchored on data-sharing. We do better when we collaborate.
"Journalists who understand technology and utilise it correctly are able to do their job better. Data-sharing translates to less cost in doing their work, makes them more effective and creative in reporting."
Biondo also said that there should be no dichotomy between journalism and social media.
"Social networking is not killing journalism. There is a risk that journalists cannot do their work because of the noise in social media. But what we want is to drive quality journalism," he noted.
"Although our job at Google is not to define quality journalism - our job, as a search engine, is to provide access to the users. But we also collaborate with journalists to build a successful Media," Biondo added. Biondo also emphasised that social media cannot also replace quality journalism. "We need professional journalists because we need people who will do fact-checking, make analysis, have objectivity, ethics and transparency," Biondo said.
Meanwhile, Biondo praised the recent launch of Youtube Space in Dubai. Biondo said that Youtube Space helps journalists to bring their reports to a wider audience and Youtube's global user will learn more about the region.
angel@khaleetimes.com

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