By Cecilia Siauw
David Bornstein visited the University of Oregon to speak at a Demystifying Media talk about solutions journalism. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Solutions Journalism Network, which was created to spread the practice of solutions journalism, and contributes to The New York Times’ Fixes column, a feature that looks at solutions to social problems and why they work.
What is Solutions Journalism?
Solutions Journalism is a response to a problem. The response is usually something well established and has strong evidence. The evidence can be quantitative or qualitative, but it needs to support that the solution is working.
However, in addition to showing how the solution works, a solutions journalism story also needs to talk about the limitations and address that the solution has downfalls and may not be applicable to problems that are in different parts of the world.
Lastly, a solutions journalism story needs to provide insight. The insight could be the inspiration for someone else to try the same solution, but it should also include how and why others can help solve the issue.
Definitions aside, here’s three other things about Solutions Journalism to note:
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Solutions journalism puts problem solving at the center of the narrative
Nicole Dahmen, an associate professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, published an article in The Verge about solutions journalism, opening with the issue that typical news stories center around “problem-based narratives, often leading with graphic imagery of the gloom and doom news of the day.”
Reflecting on David Bornstein’s talk, UO student Derek Maiolo wrote:
“Instead of relying on click-baiting or shocking headlines that direct the reader to a meaningless, oversold story or to a corporately funded article promoting a product, solutions journalism elevates instances of human cooperation in solving an important problem to a more widely appreciated platform.”
Solutions Journalism focuses on reporting the response to a problem instead of simply explaining the problem. Bornstein talked about how solutions journalism includes qualities to focus on problem solving.
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Other journalism practices can complement solutions journalism
“…I like to think of engaged journalism as the first step–the initial community interaction where problems are discussed and solutions are suggested. Solutions journalism is the second step, forming your coverage in a way that reflects the community dialogue and the community’s suggested solutions,” wrote Emily Poole in her class reflection.
Although Bornstein didn’t directly address the overlaps of engagement journalism and solutions journalism, Poole was able to identify similarities from her experience with engagement journalism.
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The term “solutions journalism” is only temporary
“Bornstein responded to one question which was particularly thought-provoking to me…he thought that it wouldn’t really be a “term” and that mostly all journalism would be “solutions journalism,” wrote Savannah Puccinelli.
This response was from the question “what do you see the future of solutions journalism looking like?”
Bornstein’s prediction is exciting for the future of journalism and may draw audiences to think more positively about mass media organizations. Since the news is filled with a lot of negativity, spreading information about responses, and potential solutions, to major issues, might create a more positive news-audience relationship.