POLITICO Tech
The untold story of how computers forever changed election night
Apr 29, 2024
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ira Chinoy discusses how computers transformed election night in 1952, marking a shift towards more accurate predictions. The podcast explores the evolution of election night coverage, the application of historical lessons to AI in newsrooms, and the importance of countering misinformation in elections.
17:15
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Quick takeaways
- In 1952, computers revolutionized election night predictions in journalism, marking a pivotal convergence of technology and news.
- The accurate UNIVAC prediction of Eisenhower's win highlighted the initial skepticism towards technology in election forecasting.
Deep dives
The Advent of Data Journalism in Election Night Reporting
The podcast delves into the roots of data journalism on election nights, tracing back to the pioneering work in predicting election outcomes with the use of computers. In 1952, the collaboration between the emerging computer industry and TV news aimed at attracting viewers by employing computers for election result predictions marked a revolutionary step in journalism and technology convergence.
