A Group That Wants to Change How Media Reports on Violence

Solutions  Journalism Network

A Group That Wants to Change How Media Reports on Violence

Solutions  Journalism Network
Source: Solutions Journalism Network

As journalists, we report what’s going wrong, from scandals, corruption, social problems and natural disasters. Far too often the media fails to show the whole picture, neglecting to tell stories of what is working and good. From scientific breakthroughs to successful crime-reduction initiatives, we want to show some of the best reporting and analysis on all the ways people are working toward solutions to some of our greatest challenges.

The Solutions Journalism Network, is a a non-profit rigorous and compelling reporting group which investigates and explains credible responses to social problems. They are spreading the practice of solutions-oriented reporting, and launching a year-long initiative, “Violence Prevention and Reduction,” to create a solutions-based approach to reporting about crime and violence.

The majority of reporting on violence, from guns and domestic violence to terrorism and gangs, focuses solely on the problem. Then we fail to inform society about and what is working and what can be done. The group plans to bring together at least 10 news organizations along with journalists nationwide to help build a platform for this solutions-oriented research and reporting project.

Among the many aspects of U.S. violence, SJN will look at strategies that are working to prevent family abuse, gun violence, gang violence, childhood trauma and bullying. The initiative will also look specifically at school and prison systems which are taking effective steps in keeping their members safe.

“The Solutions Journalism Network believes that, in order to combat violence, people need to hear about effective responses, so they can see possibilities and build upon them,” SJN’s Keith Hammonds wrote. “Ideally, this should be done through engaging stories that have the potential for widespread influence. That’s really what solutions journalism is all about: Rigorous coverage of promising ideas, we expect, will unleash creativity from citizens and make it more likely that effective models will realize their potential.”

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