#47 A Better Way to Report The News: David Bornstein

Too often, news coverage is all about clashes, controversies andcontests.  The way the media cover major events can have aprofound impact on our view of the world.

 In this episode, Jim and Richard - both journaliststhemselves - are joined by DavidBornstein, who writes for theFixes blog of The New York Times and is co-founder of SolutionsJournalismNetwork.org.

 "The news tends to focus far more on what's wrong than onthe credible efforts around the world of people who are trying tofix things, whether they are successful or not." David tellsus. 

 "I think the main thing is that the problems scream andthe solutions whisper. The problems are always clamoring forattention. Solutions, you really do have to be proactive and golook for them."

 David says that solutions journalism focuses not just onwhat may be working, but how and why it appears to be working, oralternatively, why it may be stumbling. Using the best availableevidence, it delves deep into the how-to’s of problem solving,often structuring stories as puzzles or mysteries that investigatequestions like: What models are having success reducing the dropoutrate in public schools? How do they actually work? What are theydoing differently than others that are resulting in a betteroutcome?

 Solutions Journalism network goes into newsrooms aroundthe country, and trains editors and reporters on the imperatives ofthe "now what" aspect of reporting.  Solutions journalismhelps news organizations play a stronger role in the communitiesthey serve.

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