Solutions Journalism Network Muck Rack

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 3:11 AM

Solutions journalism is rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems, which includes these key elements: Founded in 2013 by the award-winning journalists David Bornstein, Tina Rosenberg and Courtney Martin, the Solutions Journalism Network includes: The Solutions Story Tracker® is the largest collection of solutions journalism: 17,200 stories produced by 9,700 journalists and 2,140 news outlets from 98 countries. The stories cover responses in 199 countries, in 18 languages. This resource is made possible because of a growing movement of journalists who use solutions journalism to illuminate both problems and evidence-based responses to them. The Solutions Journalism Network offers newsletters for journalists, educators and everyone interested in how people are responding to problems.

Journalists in our global network use solutions journalism to strengthen community efficacy, challenge false and harmful stereotypes, build trust and civic engagement, depolarize public discourse and build new sources of revenue. The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) is an independent, non-profit organization that advocates an approach of solutions journalism, an evidence-based mode of reporting on the responses to social problems. It was founded in 2013 by David Bornstein, Courtney E. Martin, and Tina Rosenberg. Its staff in New York City and Oakland, California, help journalists and news organizations across the country understand, value, and build the capacity to do solutions-oriented reporting. The mission of SJN is "to spread the practice of solutions journalism: rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems".[1] What SJN calls solutions journalism is preceded by very similar journalistic styles that...

The Solutions Journalism Network grew out of the "Fixes" column in The New York Times Opinionator section written by journalists David Bornstein and Tina Rosenberg since October 2010.[2] Together with Courtney Martin, an author,... SJN's first major project was a collaboration with The Seattle Times to produce a year-long series of solutions-oriented stories about public education called Education Lab. This initiative was extended for a second year.[3] In its first year, SJN also launched a series of funds to provide financial support to journalists pursuing solutions stories on topics concerning climate change resilience,... SJN believes that most news reporting fails to fulfill journalism's mission to hold an accurate mirror up to society. While traditional journalism holds that a reporter's primary role is to expose problems, SJN argues that the press should also examine examples of responses to those problems, with the same degree of rigor. These responses, it holds, are an important part of what is happening in the world, and accurate coverage of society must include them to be able to provide the whole story.

The Solutions Journalism Network leads a global shift in journalism focused on advancing rigorous reporting about how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn from their successes and failures. We call solutions journalism "hope with teeth." Research shows that when news reveals what’s working (or promising), it elevates the tone of public discourse by making it less divisive and more constructive, allows communities... We believe every person deserves healthy, high-quality news. The Solutions Journalism Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to advancing journalism that is respectful and helpful. The team at Solutions Journalism Network is an energetic and collaborative bunch, living on four continents. The Solutions Journalism Network receives financial support from foundations and individual donors.

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 re-establishes trust in the media, and increases both readership and revenue. The Four Qualities of Solutions Journalism 1) A solutions story focuses on a RESPONSE to a social problem — and how that response has worked or why it hasn’t. (“howdunnit”)2) The best solutions reporting distills the lessons that makes the response relevant and accessible to others.

In other words, it offers INSIGHT.3) Solutions journalism looks for EVIDENCE — data or qualitative results that show effectiveness (or lack thereof).4) Discusses LIMITATIONS or gaps of the approach (no response is perfect!) "Intentionally reading solutions journalism inspired my students to become better critical thinkers about the media content they consume and gave them hope that solutions to our problems are possible." Professor Jennifer Mercieca from Texas... She wrote about how her students were feeling simultaneously addicted to and overwhelmed by their phones and the news those phones conveyed. Hmmm... maybe you've felt this? Anyway, she gave them an assignment: Seek out solutions journalism and share it on social media feeds.

They didn't exactly go viral, but the students perspective on everything from phone time to the state of the world radically shifted. They felt agency even in the face of problems; they started to question why so much of the news that gets covered is about what's broken and awful; and they started to feel a... We think that's a huge win, and a tale worthy of your time. Swipe through for some of the magic, or read Mercieca's piece here: https://lnkd.in/gDfEKKxF Solutions-focused journalists in the U.S. shouldn't miss this opportunity from Better Life Lab at New America.

The Lab has reporting grants available for stories about solutions in care — "from innovations in child care to investments in family, disability, elder, and end of life care." They're looking for stories in... This week, they're hosting a Q&A for anyone interested. Hit the link for details on that, along with more info about the grants and how to apply. https://lnkd.in/g6kPJ6ur Vince Stehle was one of the first people to include SJN in a conference exploring new ideas in journalism. His recognition of solutions journalism as a bright idea and necessary practice helped us develop partnerships in the early days when there was still a lot of resistance to the approach.

He helped introduce SJN to the world, along with so many other organizations who he helped with his support. We are delighted to see his contribution to the field recognized. We’re thrilled to share that former MIF Executive Director Vince Stehle will be honored with the Trailblazer Award at American Documentary, Inc. GalaFest: House Party 2025! 🎉 Through decades of leadership in philanthropy and media, Vince has built connections that strengthen the role of independent documentary in democracy. AmDoc's GalaFest uplifts independent filmmaking and public media at a moment when solidarity, creativity, and community matter more than ever.

Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in Brooklyn for an evening of connection, storytelling, and inspiration. 🎟️ Tickets: https://gala.amdoc.org/ The Solutions Journalism Network Awards are back! Almost ... Capacity issues prevented us from hosting the SJN Awards this year.

Rest assured they are about to return even bigger than before. But first? We need judges. A bunch of them! Judges from the first year described it as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of a practice they love, a chance to discover and offer support for under-heard stories, and just a good... Best of all, you can still be a judge even if you want to submit your own work when the time comes.

We'll just put you in a different category. So fear not! Get all the details at the link — including timing, expectations, and the application itself. We can't wait to work with you on something we think is going to be really special. (And remember to keep your eyes open for an announcement about submissions, coming soon ....) https://lnkd.in/gbrziYRw Want updates when Solutions Journalism Network has new information, or want to find more organizations like Solutions Journalism Network?

Solutions Journalism Network Muck Rack

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