Ditch Doomscrolling: Demand Solutions-Oriented News

The 24-hour news cycle has become a 24-second TikTok cycle, and frankly, it’s exhausting. We’re bombarded with problems, crises, and conflicts, often devoid of context or, more importantly, solutions. That’s why being and solutions-oriented in our news consumption and creation is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity. Are we doomed to drown in a sea of negativity, or can we demand something better?

The Problem Peddlers

Let’s be honest: bad news sells. Fear and outrage are powerful motivators, and many news outlets have become addicted to the clicks and views they generate. Think about the local news broadcasts. How many stories focus on community initiatives or innovative solutions? I’d wager it’s far fewer than the reports of car accidents at the intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff Road or the latest crime statistics from the DeKalb County Police Department. We are conditioned to expect the worst, and the news obliges.

This constant barrage of negativity has real consequences. A Pew Research Center study found that frequent consumption of negative news can lead to increased anxiety, stress, and even depression. It fosters a sense of helplessness and cynicism, making us feel like problems are insurmountable. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy: we expect things to be bad, so we disengage, making it even harder to find or implement solutions.

The problem isn’t just the focus on problems; it’s the lack of context and follow-up. A story breaks about a new regulation from the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Okay, but what does that actually mean for small businesses in the state? How will it affect workers seeking benefits under O.C.G.A. Section 34-9-1? Too often, the news leaves us with more questions than answers, and no clear path to understanding or action.

Why Solutions-Oriented News Matters

Solutions-oriented journalism, also known as constructive journalism, flips the script. It doesn’t ignore the problems, but it focuses on potential solutions, highlighting what’s working and why. It examines the responses to social problems, providing evidence of their effectiveness (or lack thereof). It’s not about Pollyannaish optimism; it’s about rigorous reporting on what’s being done to address the challenges we face. I remember when I worked as a community reporter for the Marietta Daily Journal, and we did a series on local non-profits tackling homelessness. We didn’t just highlight the problem; we showcased the different approaches being used, the challenges they faced, and the impact they were having. It was eye-opening, and it gave readers a sense of hope and agency.

A Associated Press (AP) style guide update in 2023 encouraged journalists to incorporate “solutions journalism” techniques into their reporting, signaling a shift in the industry towards more constructive narratives. This approach is essential for several reasons:

• It empowers citizens. By showcasing potential solutions, it gives people a sense of agency and encourages them to get involved.
• It fosters critical thinking. It encourages us to move beyond simply reacting to problems and to start thinking about how we can contribute to solutions.
• It promotes collaboration. By highlighting what’s working in one community, it can inspire similar efforts in others.
• It combats cynicism and despair. It reminds us that progress is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Consider this hypothetical example. Instead of just reporting on the rising crime rates in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, a solutions-oriented news outlet would also investigate and report on community policing initiatives that have been successful in reducing crime in similar urban areas. They would interview community leaders, police officers, and residents to understand the nuances of these programs and assess their potential for adaptation in Old Fourth Ward. This provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the issue and empowers them to advocate for effective solutions.

The Pushback and Why It’s Wrong

Some argue that solutions-oriented journalism is “soft news” or that it’s somehow biased towards positive outcomes. They claim that journalists should be objective observers, not advocates for change. But this is a false dichotomy. Reporting on solutions doesn’t mean ignoring the problems or glossing over the complexities. It simply means providing a more complete and nuanced picture of the issue.

Moreover, the idea of “objective” journalism is often a myth. Every news outlet has a perspective, whether they acknowledge it or not. By focusing solely on problems, they are implicitly reinforcing a sense of helplessness and despair. Solutions-oriented journalism, on the other hand, is explicitly trying to empower citizens and promote positive change. Which approach is truly more valuable to the public?

I had a client last year, a small business owner in Roswell, who was frustrated with the constant negative news coverage of the local economy. He felt like it was discouraging people from investing in the community. We helped him create a series of blog posts and social media updates highlighting the positive developments in the area – new businesses opening, successful community events, and innovative initiatives. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it helped to create a more optimistic and engaged community.

One way to combat the constant negativity is to conquer information overload.

Taking Action: Demand Better News

So, what can we do to promote and solutions-oriented news? Here’s what nobody tells you: it starts with demanding it. Here are some concrete steps you can take:

1. Be a critical consumer of news. Question the narratives you’re being presented with. Are they focusing solely on problems, or are they also exploring potential solutions?
2. Support news outlets that prioritize solutions-oriented reporting. Subscribe to their publications, donate to their organizations, and share their work on social media.
3. Contact news outlets and demand better coverage. Write letters to the editor, send emails to reporters, and use social media to voice your concerns. Let them know that you want to see more solutions-oriented news.
4. Become a citizen journalist. Share stories of positive change in your community on social media or through local blogs and websites.
5. Educate yourself and others about solutions-oriented journalism. Share articles and resources on the topic with your friends and family.

We ran into this exact issue at my previous firm, where we were advising a non-profit on their media strategy. They were struggling to get their message out because the news outlets were only interested in the problems they were addressing, not the solutions they were implementing. We helped them create a media kit that focused on their successes, and we trained their staff on how to pitch solutions-oriented stories to journalists. The results were dramatic. They started getting more positive media coverage, which helped them to raise more money and expand their impact.

Ultimately, the shift towards solutions-oriented news requires a collective effort. It requires journalists to embrace a more constructive approach to reporting, and it requires citizens to demand better coverage from their news outlets. It won’t happen overnight, but with enough effort, we can create a news ecosystem that is more empowering, more informative, and more conducive to positive change. Let’s start today. Contact your local news station (WSB-TV, 404-897-7000) and ask them to feature a story about a local organization making a difference in Atlanta.

You can also start by analyzing news vs. opinion and making sure you are getting facts, not just feelings.

Finally, it is important to remember that GA’s “Knowledge Hub” can fix education news.

Don’t just complain about the news – change it. Commit to finding and sharing one solutions-oriented story this week. Your perspective matters, and together, we can create a more hopeful and constructive narrative about the world around us.