If it bleeds, bin it — Will your tired news audience click on a constructive news story instead?

War. Environmental peril. The never-ending pandemic. No wonder audiences are tired of bad news.

And in worse news for the media, that widespread news fatigue is rapidly becoming active news avoidance.

Constructive journalism offers a solutions-based approach to reporting, which is appealing to audiences. But how do you convince the rest of the newsroom of its value?

Australian ABC journalist Sabra Lane, The New York Times reporter Tina Rosenberg, Flint Beat founder Jiquanda Johnson and UK-based Positive News editor Seán Wood are all pioneering solutions journalism practitioners.

In a world where we just want to hear about something going right, they’re rethinking the age-old adage “if it bleeds, it leads” — and they say it results in more nuanced, engaging reporting.

In this episode of Journo, Nick Bryant finds out whether solutions journalism is really the answer to re-engaging our disillusioned news audiences.

Journo is a production of Deadset Studios. This episode was made with support from the Judith Neilson Institute.

 

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Host: Nick Bryant
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
Producers: Grace Pashley and Britta Jorgensen
Sound Design: Melissa May
Managing Editor: Kellie Riordan
Commissioning Editor: Andrea Ho

 

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