Journalists often cover stories that highlight problems, while missing stories that encourage solutions to those problems. On Jan. 14, the nonprofit Solutions Journalism Network published a detailed guide to help journalists appraise their current methods and adopt practices that focus on solutions.

Download the free Solutions Journalism Toolkit (PDF, 48 pages).

This guide explains the need for "solutions journalism" -- a theory which contends that that whistleblowing is insufficient to spur change. SJN implies that journalists may resist creating impact, out of concern that this might blur the line between reporting and advocacy.

The toolkit explores where journalists can respond to issues while still respecting that line. It offers productive options for covering failure, and ways to create tension without immediately jumping to negative narratives -- among many other tools.

A recent SJN/University of Texas survey suggests that stories which present even modest solutions are more likely to be shared on social media -- and help people feel more empowered to make effective changes.

Learn more about Solutions Journalism with this archived KDMC webinar.