Webinar: Learn the fundamentals of solutions journalism

This article shares resources from the first of 8 webinars to help journalists understand and implement solutions journalism in their newsrooms or as freelancers, thanks to the Walkley Public Fund and a partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network.

The series will wrap up in August. It will be followed by a grant program later this year. Grant applicants will need to have watched the training sessions — either live or on catch-up — as part of the application process.

OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION

Solutions Journalism is a rigorous and evidence-based approach to covering social issues that has been used to improve coverage of climate change, race relations, environmental management, social inclusion, and much more.

Research has found that news organisations that engage in solutions reporting have better levels of improve audience engagement, enjoy greater trust, and can tackle ‘bad news fatigue’.

TRAINERS:

Kyuwon Lee, Solutions Journalism Network, and Corinne Podger, Walkley Foundation

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this webinar you will:

• Understand what Solutions Journalism is, and how it differs from ‘hero worship’, PR and puff pieces.
• Be introduced to case studies and potential story angles for solutions journalism in Australia.
• Understand how solutions stories can work in different formats including print and digital text, radio and podcasts, TV, and social-first storytelling.
• Understand common barriers to adopting solutions journalism approaches.
• Be introduced to ways in which solutions journalism can engage audiences, build website stickiness, support revenue targets and strengthen community trust in public interest journalism. These topics will be expanded on in a monthly program the Foundation will run in 2024.
• Be introduced to resources and self-directed learning opportunities from the Solutions Journalism Network, and similar organisations such as the Constructive Institute.
• Learn about a new Solutions Journalism grants and training program the Foundation will run in 2024 in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network.

RESOURCES

• Key takeaways and reading list here.
• Download a PDF of the slides here.

WEBINAR RECORDING

FULL LIST OF SESSIONS

1. Learn the fundamentals of solutions journalism — 20 November 2023
2. Making the business case for solutions journalism — 21 February 2024
3. Using solutions journalism to strengthen audience and community relationships — 20 March 2024
4. Using solutions journalism to cover diverse communities — 24 April 2024
5. Building solutions journalism into newsroom practice — 22 May 2024
6. Delivering and measuring the impact of solutions stories — 19 June 2024
7. Introduction to the Walkley Foundation Solutions Journalism Grant — 17 July 2024
8. Meeting with successful grantees — October 2023

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact Corinne Podger, Senior Manager for Programs and Education, with questions, suggestions, or examples of solutions storytelling you do as a result of this session.