Solutions Journalism Network Wikiwand

Bonisiwe Shabane
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solutions journalism network wikiwand

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. 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.

Solutions journalism is an approach to news reporting that focuses on the responses to social issues as well as the problems themselves. Solutions stories, anchored in credible evidence, explain how and why responses are working, or not working. The goal of this journalistic approach is to present people with a truer, more complete view of these issues, helping to drive more effective citizenship. Solutions journalism is rigorous, evidence-based reporting on the responses to social problems. Solutions stories can take many forms, but they share several key characteristics. They identify the root causes of a social problem; prominently highlight a response, or responses, to that problem; present evidence of the impact of that response; and explain how and why the response is...

When possible, solutions stories also present an insight that helps people better understand how complex systems work, and how they can be improved. Proponents of solutions journalism distinguish the approach from so-called "good news" reporting, which can be characterized by a superficial presentation of a response without careful analysis or examination of whether the response is effective. Solutions stories assess responses that are working today, as opposed to untested theories—and they tend to place more emphasis on the innovation than on a person or institution responsible for that innovation. Solutions journalism supporters believe that it provides important feedback that allows society to see credible possibilities and respond more successfully to emerging challenges. Compelling reporting about responses to social problems, they say, can strengthen society by increasing the circulation of knowledge necessary for citizens to engage powerfully with issues in their communities, and for communities, leaders, innovators,... Simply reporting on problems, some research shows, can reduce citizens' sense of efficacy, leading them to disengage from public life.

In a 2008 study, the Associated Press found that young people were tired of news, which they perceived as being negative and lacking resolution.[1] This resulted in "news fatigue", in which people tended to... 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!) Want updates when Solutions Journalism Network has new information, or want to find more organizations like Solutions Journalism Network? © 2025 Nonprofit Metrics LLCTerms of Service and Privacy Policy Solutions journalism is an approach to news reporting that focuses on the responses to social issues as well as the problems themselves. Solutions stories, anchored in credible evidence, explain how and why responses are working, or not working.

The goal of this journalistic approach is to present people with a truer, more complete view of these issues, helping to drive more effective citizenship. Solutions journalism is rigorous, evidence-based reporting on the responses to social problems. Solutions stories can take many forms, but they share several key characteristics. They identify the root causes of a social problem; prominently highlight a response, or responses, to that problem; present evidence of the impact of that response; and explain how and why the response is... When possible, solutions stories also present an insight that helps people better understand how complex systems work, and how they can be improved. Proponents of solutions journalism distinguish the approach from so-called "good news" reporting, which can be characterized by a superficial presentation of a response without careful analysis or examination of whether the response is effective.

Solutions stories assess responses that are working today, as opposed to untested theories—and they tend to place more emphasis on the innovation than on a person or institution responsible for that innovation. Solutions journalism supporters believe that it provides important feedback that allows society to see credible possibilities and respond more successfully to emerging challenges. Compelling reporting about responses to social problems, they say, can strengthen society by increasing the circulation of knowledge necessary for citizens to engage powerfully with issues in their communities, and for communities, leaders, innovators,... Simply reporting on problems, some research shows, can reduce citizens' sense of efficacy, leading them to disengage from public life. In a 2008 study, the Associated Press found that young people were tired of news, which they perceived as being negative and lacking resolution.[1] This resulted in "news fatigue", in which people tended to... 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. 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. 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 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. "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!

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The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) Is An Independent, Non-profit Organization

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...

SJN's First Major Project Was A Collaboration With The Seattle

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,.....

Founded In 2013 By The Award-winning Journalists David Bornstein, Tina

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 pos...

Solutions Journalism Is An Approach To News Reporting That Focuses

Solutions journalism is an approach to news reporting that focuses on the responses to social issues as well as the problems themselves. Solutions stories, anchored in credible evidence, explain how and why responses are working, or not working. The goal of this journalistic approach is to present people with a truer, more complete view of these issues, helping to drive more effective citizenship....

When Possible, Solutions Stories Also Present An Insight That Helps

When possible, solutions stories also present an insight that helps people better understand how complex systems work, and how they can be improved. Proponents of solutions journalism distinguish the approach from so-called "good news" reporting, which can be characterized by a superficial presentation of a response without careful analysis or examination of whether the response is effective. Solu...