Reading the news on a daily basis can be a depressing affair. Worldwide, readers and audiences repeatedly report that they are put off by how negative the news seems to be.
Yet the media’s role is to bring major issues and problems to the foreground and to keep us alert. Must the headlines conform to the age‐old adage that “when it bleeds, it leads”?
The idea behind Impact Journalism Day is to show that the media also fulfill their role by reporting on inspiring solutions to the world’s problems.
The alliance of 45 newspapers, united by Sparknews, presents a different vision of journalism: problems AND solutions can make the news together. This view, along with the conviction that quality, solutions‐based news is something readers aspire to have more of, is part of a growing movement in the press to feature stories of hope and change.
Impact Journalism Day is just the beginning. Each edition has seen a steady increase in the number of newspapers and newsrooms onboard, excited to show their commitment to solutions‐based reporting. Some journalists were initially concerned this content might be naïve or simplistic, but are now eager to participate and uphold this philosophy in their day‐to‐day activities. They are fueled by conviction and also by seeing firsthand that this type of reporting has a measurable impact on the ground.
When the public learns of real solutions, the results can be tremendous. Readers gain greater understanding of the problems and are given the means to engage and the hope to believe that they can become changemakers.
Every reader can and does make a difference. Last year’s articles helped contribute to the growth of the projects featured, via an increase in awareness, volunteering, orders, investments, donations or even via replication in new countries.
Now it’s your turn to be part of the movement!
Show the media that this kind of news matters. Tell your friends and family about Impact Journalism Day, buy an extra copy for your children or your colleagues, share the articles you like on the web and be part of the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
You can take part in our selfie contest by posting a photo of yourself and this newspaper via Twitter (#ImpactJournalism and add the @ thenationnews) or the Facebook page of our founding partner, AXA (facebook.com/AXAPeopleProtectors).
Help the innovators and entrepreneurs featured in these stories to overcome the challenges they face by joining a brainstorming session (beta.makesense.org/ijd).
And suggest projects we might consider for next year’s Impact Journalism Day (www.sparknews.com/ijd).
Enjoy your read!
Christian de Boisredon and the Sparknews Team.
Christian is the founder of Sparknews and an Ashoka Fellow.
For more information: [email protected]
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