What is Constructive Journalism?

Constructive journalism is a response to increasing tabloidization, sensationalism and negativity bias of the news media today. It is an approach that aims to provide audiences with a fair, accurate and contextualised picture of the world, without overemphasizing the negative and what is going wrong.

Explainer: Constructive Journalism

Video Explainer

In this explainer video we take you through The Three Pillars that presents the three approaches to constructive journalism practice and offers an add on to both breaking and investigative journalism. Constructive journalism is a cultural shift which changes the role of journalists, our goals and our focus. It is a shift which looks to the future and seeks to leave the news audience inspired, hopeful and motivated.

Constructive Models

In the section below we present the theoretical foundation of constructive journalism. The Three Pillars are the foundation of constructive journalism practice. Each pillar represents a journalistic approach that all together feeds into the main mission; to contribute to democracy. But it is not only a model. It is also our vocabulary for discussing constructive journalism and how to do it.

Additional Layer

The table illustrates how a constructive story typically starts with a problem and thus becomes the final step of a news cycle; from breaking to investigative to constructive.

The Three Pillars

The Three Pillars are the foundation of constructive journalism practice. Each pillar represents a journalistic approach that all together feeds into the main mission; to contribute to democracy.

A Broader Perspective

Constructive Journalism reports on important societal issues, setting them in the bigger picture and in their relevant context.

Doing Good for Democracy Read More

A FEEDBACK MECHANISM

Constructive journalism takes journalism’s democratic function seriously, building on the idea that journalism is a feedback mechanism that helps society self-correct.

BALANCED REPORTING

Constructive journalism is balanced reporting on both good and the bad in society. It is not activism or advocacy and will never attempt to define the best solution to a problem.

Other Journalism Approaches

In this section we focus on three interesting journalism approaches. There are a myriad of new journalism techniques and concepts and these are just three of many that we think reflect our “Three Pillar Approach”; looking for solutions, embracing nuance and shades of grey, and connecting society.

A Focus on Solutions Read More

Other Approaches

Dialogue Journalism

Dialogue Journalism focuses on the ideas of the journalist as facilitator. Organisations such as Spaceship Media are experimenting with ways to bridge the political divides in the U.S. and programs such as NRK’s Einig? Seek to bring politicians together for calm and curious conversations.

Other Approaches

Slow Journalism

Slow journalism is a news subculture borne out of the frustration at the quality of journalism from the mainstream press. Slow journalism shares the same values as other “slow”-movement subsets in its efforts to produce a good, clean and fair product.

Who does Constructive Journalism?

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