Hi students,

Welcome to Module 1 in our course on solutions journalism.

Societies around the globe are reeling from inequality, racism, extreme polarization, political dysfunction and environmental crises. Journalism is struggling to be the corrective force it can be. By covering solutions to local and global challenges, journalists can equip people in all communities with the knowledge to envision and build a more equitable and sustainable world.

Solutions stories report on efforts to solve problems, but they don’t celebrate those efforts. This week we will look at the difference between a solutions journalism story and impostors.

We will look closely at four criteria to apply when writing or producing a solutions journalism story: response, insight, evidence, and limitations. These criteria inspire us, and are the foundation of how we define solutions journalism in practice. These criteria can be applied with flexibility for diverse narrative styles and story formats. 

I’ve found that to explain what solutions journalism is, it’s often effective to offer examples of what it isn’t. We’ll talk about seven types of solutions journalism impostors we’ve all seen in the media before. If a story doesn't describe a response, it's not solutions journalism.

In addition to the videos, there will be readings based on research into how solutions journalism may be an effective journalistic tool that serves the needs of both audiences and news organizations, and that it has the potential to increase engagement.

Thank you and best regards,

Hugo



Last modified: Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 10:45 AM