EducationWhat is Solutions Journalism?
Solutions Journalism is rigorous reporting about responses to society’s problems. It is complete journalism that not only spotlights the problems but follows an evidence-based presentation of existing solutions. Such reporting enhances knowledge and accountability by providing the whole story to readers and offers constructive content in an age of media apathy.
This innovative journalism approach goes beyond simple issue identification and instead focuses on featuring what is already working. It uses the same rigor of investigative reporting to highlight the mechanisms and success factors as well as the limitations of already-existing solutions to well-known problems. As a result it activates citizens by functioning as a catalyst for accountability that can lead to meaningful change. A problem that was seen as unavoidable comes to be seen as unacceptable.
Solutions Journalism covers a wide variety of topics and its approach ranges from identifying cases of positive deviants to exploring new ideas in action to reporting on experiments in progress. The result is informative, impactful content that strengthens audience engagement, reestablishes trust in the media, and increases both readership and revenue.
Solutions journalism in a nutshell:
Is Solutions Journalism a Solution? (Alex Sabadan, The Fix) – this article is covering the main questions and answers on the new rising trend in journalism
Video Explainer:
The Four Qualities of Solutions Journalism
- Focuses in depth on a response and how it works in meaningful detail (“howdunnit”)
- Focuses on effectiveness, not good intentions, presenting available evidence of results
- Discusses limitations/gaps of the approach
- Provides insights that others can use.
Now curious? Learn more about Solutions Journalism!
Explore the Solutions Journalism Network’s Basic Toolkit – now available in many Central & Eastern European languages (Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, and Russian)
And … don’t forget to browse the Solutions Journalism Network’s Solutions Story Tracker – a curated database of more than 6,400 solutions stories from all over the world.
Sign up for our Solutions Journalism News HERE!