Invite Conversation with Solutions Journalism
Recently, I served as one of 57 volunteer judges for the Solutions Journalism Network Awards 2024-2025. It has been a rewarding and mind-opening experience. Journalists from six continents submitted almost 900 articles for judging in six categories. These categories were:
- News Article (Small Outlet)
- News Article (Large Outlet)
- Multimedia
- Audio
- Video
- Visual Images
There was also a General Excellence Award.
I appreciate this style of journalism because it captures a measured and realistic snapshot of what is happening in communities worldwide. Each article leaves the reader more knowledgeable about a social problem and how a community is responding to it. Readers are introduced to the reasons a solution works or doesn’t work. They also walk away with additional insights they may not have considered before. Solutions journalists open the door to awareness and understanding.
Notice that I didn’t use the words “advocate” or “advocating.” Solutions journalists do not advocate. Solutions journalism is not advocacy because it requires discussion of the limitations of proposed solutions.
I am drawn to this type of reporting because I can see environmental educators doing this work, too. Who better to invite new conversations in their communities than environmental educators?
I invite you to dive into the articles written by all of the award-winning journalists. You only need to read one article to understand how solutions journalism can lead to better communication.
Here is a list of the first-place winners in each category.
- News Article (Small Outlet) - Gail Cornwall - A new ‘solution’ to student homelessness: A parking lot where students can sleep safely in their cars
- News Article (Large Outlet) - Kamala Thiagarajan - Women who are blind play a critical role in identifying possible breast cancers
- Multimedia - Victoria Uwemedimo and Katarina Zimmer - For climate and livelihoods, Africa bets big on solar mini-grids
- Audio - Myra Anubi (presenter/reporter) and Claire Bowes (producer) - How To Have Better Sex
- Video - Pratik Chakraborty and Jyoti Thakur - Sundarbans: Terracotta rings offer hope against rising seas
- Visual Images - Jack Roe - The old instruments bringing new opportunities to young lives
- General Excellence Award - Kamala Thiagarajan - Women who are blind play a critical role in identifying possible breast cancers
Read the work of all first-, second-, and third-place award winners in the Solutions Journalism newsletter.
Solutions Journalism for Environmental and Sustainability Professionals
Wondering how solutions journalism might align with your work?
Join me next week as I introduce environmental professionals to solutions journalism. You’ll learn how solutions journalism articles are structured during this free, hands-on, interactive 75-minute session.
