Solutions journalism and digital humanitarianism: Two distinct yet related concepts addressing social issues

Solutions journalism is a storytelling approach that, as the Solutions Journalism Network defines it, focuses on programs related to the response of solving social problems on local, national and international levels. Many news organizations are currently redefining how they tell stories, and one tool they are utilizing to reconnect with…

Continue reading

Citizen journalists: What solutions can they bring to reporting on crises?

Citizen journalists play a crucial role in reporting on crises by providing unique perspectives, real-time updates, and often, access to areas and communities that traditional journalists may find difficult to reach. Whether citizen journalism can be considered the “solution” depends on the context and what issues we are addressing. It…

Continue reading

Communication for development, ICT4D and hope: digital constructive journalism and social change

This blog post provides the theoretical underpinnings of how digital constructive journalism may enable social change via hope. Constructive journalism is broadly part of the media for development and ICT for development (ICT4D) agendas. These two agendas can further be categorised under the academic discipline of communication for development (C4D)….

Continue reading

Digital solutions journalism within the South African context

Growing up in South Africa with its myriad of challenges, the news cycle can be relentless. Poverty, inequality, crime, unemployment and challenges within education, health and more recently electricity provision are front and centre of everyday life. However, South Africans, regarded as resilient and hopeful, will not miss the opportunity…

Continue reading