Developing an Understanding of Solutions Journalism
The Solutions Journalism Toolkit, provided an outline that explained the approaches and framework of a solutions journalism news story and how it differs from current events news, investigative reporting, and human-interest news stories. “[Humans] are influenced by unconscious thoughts and drives, so the way information is presented can make a big difference in how it is used,” says David Bornstein, the Founder of the Solutions Journalism Network and writer for Forbes Magazine.
I agree with journalists such as Bornstein that the information used in solutions journalism must be presented in a way where readers feel interested and provoked to take action, consciously and/or subconsciously. Thus, it is in the power of the words and persuasions that communicators and journalists are able to produce stories with the following characteristics,
· An in-depth response to a social problem
· Positives and limitations to the issue and/or solution
· Effectiveness of the solution with results, not just the good intent
· Offers insight that others can learn from
· A storytelling effect to hold the reader’s attention
· Use of emotional appeal when necessary
“Full Circle”, an article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, illustrates a picture of a social problem in the town of LaGrange, Georgia and solutions to the problem. This article is an exemplar solutions journalism piece because it fits many of the criteria for solutions journalism. For instance, responses to the issue were shared, solutions were proposed, limitations to the solutions were given, concrete evidence was presented, and an emotional-storytelling effect was used.
“Hunger-fighter determined to share story”, an article in the Inquirer, tells the story of a young Philadelphian mother who was featured in a documentary about hunger. The article only gave surface details of her situation but no solutions or data. This article did not use indicators of solutions journalism in contrast to “Full Cirlce”. Additionally, the article would be defined as either an “Instant Activist” or “Heart-Warmer” by the toolkit.
Additionally, the class’ guest speaker, Jean Friedman-Rudovsky from the Philadelphia Solutions Reporting Collaborative, provided insight on how the organization utilizes solutions journalism to push their agenda of creating social mobility for incarcerated individuals reentering society. Friedman-Rudovsky’s insights allowed me to deepen my understanding on the benefits of solutions journalism and how readers react to its style. On that account, I plan to keep the audience’s reactions to the story in mind when I write a solutions journalism piece. After all, the goal of solutions journalism to provoke to audience to take action and make a difference.
The traits of solution journalism stories are what sparks the subconscious processes of the reader, leading the reader into doing what the information is calling for. After reading the toolkit and discussing the concepts further in class, I understand the motive of solutions journalism and how is differs from traditional news writing and simple human-interest stories. Thus, the basics of solutions journalism and its influence in inspiring social change are becoming more apparent and useful to me.
