Solutions journalism — my experience
Solutions journalism can be defined as critically examining possible solutions to social problems. But, does it have the impact it claims to make? Following my reporting on early years education, I assess whether solutions journalism really did shape my output.
My advice for people wanting to incorporate solutions journalism
For anyone wanting to incorporate solutions journalism into their work, do it. It is an emerging trend aiming to leave readers with a sense of optimism after reading about a social problem.
I followed a solutions-driven approach in my reporting on early years education. It covers all aspects from interviewing and writing features.
As journalists, we might be used to reporting things with only newsworthiness in mind. This usually constitutes a negative tone but with solutions journalism, you can bring the negatives and positives together. Even when you’re exposing a problem, lookout for a silver lining because there might be one.
Here are some of my bits of advice
- Make it relatable if topics are complex
Think about it, for a solution to be realistic, the person reading it has to understand it. This is especially difficult if you are tackling a complex social problem. Take early years education, the funding system is incredibly inefficient. There are multiple people involved in the pathway from the government to the provider. So, an approach I took was to take the funding issue and present it as a simple sum of money.
If you are dealing with money, make the figures relatable. By doing this, you avoid overwhelming the reader, as well as making the solution/policy change easier to understand. It could mean writing an explainer beforehand because as with any journalistic piece, you are after maximum impact.
2. Propose ideas to stimulate a discussion
Faced with a scenario where a solution doesn't seem feasible, this is where you have to think about other ways to make the reader feel more optimistic. By simply proposing ideas, you are still contributing to the discussion. Solutions journalism revolves around interacting with members of the public. Remember, just tackling the topic and coming up with suggestions is already doing more than simply reporting on the problem itself.
3. Use social media to share solutions
It goes without saying, if you are wanting to raise awareness of a problem or solution, you are going to need to share it. This could be through Twitter, Instagram or other social platforms. Tap into what are known as “change-driven” communities.
Proposing the solution is one thing, but you have to share it and try and generate some momentum. At the end of the day, nothing will change if nobody sees the solution. The success of solutions journalism rests on changes in attitudes and behaviour towards social problems. Use the platforms around you, generate a discussion and most importantly, reveal ways society would benefit from such solutions.
4. Balancing the problems and the potential solutions
Solutions journalism is varied. A piece might look to explore a solution entirely, or it might consist of a small optimistic angle at the end of the article to leave readers feeling more positive.
Ultimately, it comes down to the topic and whether a positive spin is appropriate. You can’t include something for no reason, especially if the topic is revealing a serious issue. The silver lining still needs to be justified and form a part of the overarching narrative.
You will need to find a balance between what is going wrong and how it can be fixed. Instead of only saying what the problem is, say why it is an issue and use human sources to supplement that. Once you have done this, then start putting out ideas to fix the issues. The big thing to remember here is that a solution is only feasible if the problem is clearly identified.
Overall, solutions journalism is definitely an area of the profession that is worth exploring. It brings together all the idealised elements of being a journalist.
You still speak to people at the heart of an issue and hold the powerful to account. You just go that one step further and show what the solutions are and why society would be a better place because of them.
