Constructive News: Fostering Solutions Journalism across Europe

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Given the increasing levels of news avoidance and decreasing levels of trust in the media, the industry needs to find “another way.” The watchdog function of journalism is essential; however, it does not provide the whole picture. The breaking news model of informing and the investigative reporting model of holding truth to power are no longer enough. There must be an additional layer, a constructive, solutions-focused layer that aims to ask “What Now?” and look to the future. This collaborative effort launched by some of Europe’s leaders in supporting solutions journalism and investigative reporting addresses this crisis by equipping journalists to investigate not just problems, but how people are responding to them – asking what’s working and why, what are the limitations, and what shareable insights can we take from their efforts. This project aims to stimulate the production of cross-border, solutions-oriented reporting across Europe, and make the European independent news media more innovative, sustainable, and responsive to their audiences. The project will consist of: (1) A training, grant, and mentoring program to stimulate more solutions/constructive journalism, especially for the climate change beat. (2) A training, grant, and mentoring program to stimulate more connected investigative and solutions reporting. (3) A study tour/exchange program, grant program, and international conference to foster greater collaboration among newsrooms across Europe. (4) A training and mentoring program to spur increased revenue through solutions/constructive journalism. (5) A wide dissemination of the supported stories among the European public, and of the learnings and resources among the journalistic community across Europe. The project will increase the potential of the sector and its players, across countries and regions with diverse media capabilities, contributing to a free, diverse, and pluralistic media environment and quality journalism in the digital environment.