Story by Nicholas Masopust, student journalist
Brian Boyer is an editor and journalist for NPR on the cutting edge of technology and information gathering in journalism.
Brian Boyer didn’t follow the traditional path to get where he is now. After getting a degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, he was a software developer by trade.
“I really cut my teeth as a Microsoft programmer” said Boyer.
It wasn’t until 2008 when he made a drastic change to get into the industry he currently resides in.
Boyer went back to school in 2008 at Northwestern and received his Master’s in Journalism through a 1-year program. A relative newcomer to the field, Boyer has already made an impact.
Boyer’s PANDA project has made information gathering easier for journalists, using computers to sort through important numbers and files and allowing journalists to get the information they need to do true investigative work.
Using his “hacker journalist” method, there is now an indexed listing of safety reports online for nursing homes in Illinois.
“I really love going to work every morning,” said Boyer.
In addition to the difference he makes with his statistical analysis, Boyer has been at the forefront of keeping NPR relevant in today’s environment of social media and smartphones.
"If it doesn’t work on mobile, it doesn’t work” said Boyer, “people are looking at most things on their phones now. You have to meet the audience where they are.”
For Boyer, simply getting people to look at the NPR app on their phone isn’t enough.
“I can make people click on stories,” said Boyer, “our goal is not traffic, it’s to drive people to what matters.”
For those in attendance at the Hall of Fame room at Gaylord Hall Monday morning, there was plenty to take away.
“It was really interesting,” said student Clarke Sachs, “I didn’t realize there were so many jobs in data journalism and just how expansive it is now. “
While he wouldn’t get into too much detail about it, Boyer’s next project that will delve into the world of television.
“It’s the one box we all still sort of have in our home” said Boyer, “I’m really excited about it.”
After years spent in software, Boyer says he’s landed in the right spot.
“I like my job” said Boyer, “I feel like I’ve found my people.”
Lead-in: Brian Boyer shows those in attendance an example of the hard-hitting photo journalism being done at NPR. VIDEO: Nick Masopust, runs :34 seconds
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