The Rise of Solutions-Based Reporting by CBS News to Address News Negativity

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From a “zen den” for struggling students in a Colorado school, to a soccer coach in Pittsburgh who goes the extra mile to reduce stress on her players, innovative approaches to dealing with youth mental health issues have recently been highlighted on local CBS newscasts. These examples are part of an increasing trend towards “solutions journalism.”

The premise behind this trend is that journalists should do more than just deliver gloomy news.

Wendy McMahon, co-president of CBS News and CBS Television Stations, stated, “Our aim is to go beyond the basic questions of who, what, where, and why, to asking ‘how can we help?’ Our ultimate goal is to help improve our communities.”

CBS has launched an initiative to train its news leaders in solutions journalism at its 14 local stations, including in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. They have also established an “innovation lab” to encourage collaborative story development.

The network collaborates with the Solutions Journalism Network, an organization established in 2013 by former New York Times reporters David Bornstein and Tina Rosenberg, along with entrepreneur Courtney Martin. Despite tackling challenging topics like foster care, homelessness, and childhood trauma, their “Fixes” column gained significant popularity.

Although covering catastrophes — such as shootings, fires, accidents — has been a staple of local TV news, a growing number of people feel their communities are only represented when something tragic occurs, McMahon noted. This has led CBS to focus on highlighting the positive work of individuals and organizations solving problems in their communities.

Examples of such coverage include stories about training officers in Georgia to prevent children’s arrests at school, expedited resolution of criminal cases in New York, Denver, and Sacramento, and the construction of a sea wall in New York as a climate change solution.

CBS’s innovation lab director, Chad Cross, believes this approach sets them apart from competitors and effectively serves their communities.

Despite initial skepticism and resistance, Bornstein insists that solutions journalism isn’t about sharing “good news” but about rigorous reporting on effective responses to societal problems.

McMahon sees cynicism in those who fail to recognize the importance of highlighting solutions. “There are problem-solvers and solution-seekers in our cities, full of ingenuity and passion. Their dedication inspires us,” she commented.

However, critics warn of the risk of perceived advocacy if some solutions receive more attention than others. According to Bornstein, when done correctly, solutions journalism is no more prone to bias than other types of reporting.

Tom Rosenstiel, a journalism professor at the University of Maryland, commended the Solutions Journalism Network for its work to address concerns about promoting puff pieces. Ensuring the strength of the stories is a critical part of CBS’s training, according to Cross.

Since the inception of the Solutions Journalism Network a decade ago, thousands of journalists and over 600 news organizations have received training in its principles, and more than 15,000 stories have been collected on its website.

The network has also identified four university journalism programs as hubs of solutions journalism, where it will be integrated into teaching and research. Participating programs include the University of Georgia, Northwestern, Arizona State, and Stony Brook in New York.

Rosenstiel believes that the continued growth of solutions journalism could play a key role in preventing news avoidance due to its often depressing nature.

“We must be more than the watchdog that barks,” he concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Solutions Journalism

More about Solutions Journalism

• Solutions Journalism Network
• CBS News
• Columbia Journalism Review
• New York Times “Fixes” Column
• University of Maryland, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
• Solutions Journalism Network’s Story Database