CC BY
2
УДК 002.704
Nguyen Thi Mai Huong
University of Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang, Vietnam
INTERACTIVE INFOGRAPHICS IN VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY
Abstract
This article delves into two vital trends shaping modern journalism: information visualization's rise and interactivity's growing importance. Information visualization leverages technology and visual tools to convey complex data through visual content effectively. Interactivity empowers readers to actively engage with content and authors, particularly online, facilitating rapid feedback and greater engagement. The Vietnam News Agency's Tin Dô Hoa (Infographies) website serves as a case study, demonstrating substantial growth in producing interactive information graphics, emphasizing subject matter and communicative intent categorization. This study underscores how visualization and interactivity transform contemporary journalism, with the Vietnam News Agency as a noteworthy example.
Keywords
Infographics, interactive infographics, interaction, visual, Vietnam News Agency.
1. Introduction
Visualization and interactivity are becoming crucial trends in journalism. Without these, journalism could not capture the reader's attention effectively. Modernizing information through images directs focus towards visual content, while interactivity allows participants to become part of the process. Information graphics are a powerful tool for conveying complex information. By incorporating interactive elements into information graphics on online media, complex stories become more engaging and understandable. With its significant interactive potential, the internet has prompted online news organizations to use interactive information graphics. In addition to viewing and reading, interactive information graphics provide readers with options for selection, customization, and information retrieval [1]. This interactive format also allows for storing more information than traditional static formats. Readers have the freedom to choose the information that interests them. This interaction enhances the relationship between the author and the reader. While the author may select the content, readers can still explore it. This also helps authors present a more significant amount of information through various media. However, interactive information graphics are relatively new in Vietnamese press compared to other static graphic formats.
The Information and Graphic Center is trying to transform graphic information into a primary information form for the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). The Tin Dô Hoa (Infographics) website was launched in September 2014 and produces graphic works for media agencies under the Vietnam News Agency. The development of interactive information graphics is being prioritized on the website regarding quantity and quality. The objectives of this article are twofold: Firstly, clarify the trends of visualization and interactivity in interactive information graphics at the VNA; Secondly, provide a statistical analysis of the quantity and categorization of interactive graphic formats featured on the Tin Dô Hoa (Infographics) website of the VNA.
2. Theoretical basis and methodology
Infographics is a method of visualizing information, data, or knowledge through interactive and dynamic statistical maps, diagrams, tables, charts, and various other formats, simply enabling the representation of complexity and transforming abstraction into concreteness [2]. Modern information graphics are diverse and have different classification methods proposed by researchers. A classification method suitable for this article's subject and research focus has been chosen. In particular, authors such as
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Z.E. Yermolaeva, O.V. Lapukhova, and I.N. Gerasimov have proposed simultaneously examining static information graphics (the simplest and most common type of information graphics) and video information graphics (videos combining data visuals, illustrations, dynamic text) along with interactive information graphics (allowing users to interact with data in some way) [3].
According to Weber and Wenzel [4], interactive infographics are described as visual depictions of information that amalgamate multiple modes, comprising a minimum of two elements such as images or videos, spoken or written text, audio, layout, and more (with the image mode being essential). These elements coalesce into a cohesive whole, providing the user at least one means of control. Users can interact with such infographics through various mechanisms, including Start or Stop buttons, forward or backward controls, menu selections, timelines, filters, data input boxes, or request functions [4]. Following Weber's framework [4], interactive infographics can be categorized based on five distinct attributes encompassing interactive and narrative aspects. These attributes include the level of interactivity, the activity model employed, the communicative intent, the subject matter, and the fundamental inquiries such as "What", "Where", "When", "How", and more, as outlined in classic literature. This study achieved the research objectives using quantitative methods, and the qualitative content of selected interactive information graphics was analyzed. The main part
Most Vietnamese online newspapers have a section dedicated to Information Graphics. For example, Vnexpress and Dan tri have their own dedicated Infographic sections. However, with Vietnamnet, Tuoi tre online, and Nhan dan, the Infographic section is within a more extensive area called Multimedia (alongside Photo story, E-magazine, and Video). This makes it easier for readers to find infographic content.
All the newspapers under the Vietnam News Agency have their own dedicated Infographic sections, such as Bao tin tftc, Truyen hinh thong tan, and Vietnamplus. The Tin do hoa (Infographics) website (https://infographics.vn) focuses on producing graphics for media agencies affiliated with the Vietnam News Agency, including infographics related to domestic and international issues. The Tin do hoa website categorizes its content by subject matter and has separate sections for videos, interactive graphics, and timelines. Over nine years, from September 2014 to September 2023, VNA's Tin DO Hoa (Infographics) website generated and published 19,596 graphic works. Specifically, during the period spanning from September 2022 to September 2023, a substantial subset of 3,326 graphic works was published, forming a noteworthy portion of the cumulative 19,596 graphic works created over the nine-year timeframe. This demonstrates a consistent upward trend in the production of designed graphics, averaging approximately 277 works published monthly.
Interactive graphics are gaining popularity, capturing readers' attention due to their growing quantity and quality. Over the past 12 months, survey results indicate a significant surge in interactive graphic creations, with an impressive total of 1373 works. Among the five criteria proposed by Weber for classifying interactive information graphics, the author of this article utilizes the two most significant criteria (communicative intent and subject matter) to categorize interactive graphic information from the past year on the Infographics website.
Figure 1 illustrates the number of interactive information graphics categorized by subject matter on the VNA's Tin DO Hoa (Infographics) website from September 2022 to September 2023. The results show that the number of interactive information graphics in Economics - Integration and Health - Community dominates, accounting for 55.4% and 34.4%, respectively. In contrast, no interactive information graphics were published in Personalities - Events. Thus, it can be observed that during this period, there was a particular focus on the fields of economics and healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
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Fig. 1 - The number of interactive infographics classified by subject matter
Figure 2 displays the number of interactive information graphics classified by communicative intent on the VNA's Tin Dô Hoa (Infographics) website from September 2022 to September 2023. The results reveal that most interactive information graphics are designed for exploratory purposes, accounting for the highest percentage at 68.6%. Following this are other communicative intents: Instructives (20%), Simulatives (6.8%), and Narratives (4.6%).
Simulatives 07%
Narratives 05%
Instructives 20%
Exploratives 69%
Fig. 2 - The number of interactive infographics classified by communicative intent
Conclusions
In conclusion, the article highlights the growing significance of visualization and interactivity in modern communication, particularly in journalism. It underscores how these trends reshape how information is presented and consumed, with interactive information graphics playing a pivotal role in engaging readers. The case study of the Vietnam News Agency's efforts underscores the increasing importance of these trends in contemporary media.
Acknowledgments: This research is funded by University of Khanh Hoa under grant number "KHXH-22.09"
References
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2. Симакова С.И. Интерактивный инфографический контент сайта «RIA.ru» и его сущностная специфика / С.И. Симакова, И.В. Топчий // Известия Уральского федерального университета. Серия 1. Проблемы образования, науки и культуры. -2018. -№ 2(174). -С. 13-19.
3. Ермолаева Ж.Е. Инфографика как способ визуализации учебной информации / Ж.Е. Ермолаева, О.В. Лапухова, И.Н. Герасимова // Концепт. -2014. -№ 11. -С. 26-30.
4. Weber W., Wenzel A. In W. Weber, M. Burmester, R. Tille (Eds.), Interaktive Infografiken. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Vieweg, 2013, 263 p.
© Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, 2023
