This week on the show, Carrie sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tina Rosenberg for a third time – a Mission Forward first! – to assess the surprising power of solutions journalism. Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation about the news media if it didn’t discuss the curious patterns of polarization, exploring how our perceptions of division might be more amplified than reality indicates. Tina, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, argues that the news, in its relentless focus on the negative, can actually distort our understanding of the world. It’s a paradox: the very medium meant to inform us contributes directly to our skewed perspectives.
Through her own work, Tina is actively reshaping the narrative. With tens of thousands of journalists now trained in solutions reporting, she and her colleagues are pioneering a new approach – one that investigates what works rather than solely focusing on what’s broken. It’s not about Pollyannaish optimism or ignoring bad news; it’s about rigorous reporting on solutions, examining their effectiveness with the same scrutiny typically reserved for exposing flaws.
Carrie and Tina discuss the unexpected ripple effects of this shift, from happier journalists to a renewed sense of purpose in the newsroom. They explore the subtle art of listening, the power of asset-based framing (championed by Solutions Journalism Network board chair, Trabian Shorters), and the vital role of community engagement. This isn’t just about journalism; it’s about how we understand and address the challenges facing our society. Tune in to discover how a different kind of storytelling can lead to a more nuanced, and ultimately more hopeful, view of the world.
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