On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Gail Rosenblum, a journalist and alumnus of the University of New Mexico, visited the communications and journalism department to talk about a new form of journalism — solutions journalism — that Rosenblum has been incorporating in her work.
Rosenblum is currently the editor of the weekly “Inspired” section in the Minneapolis Star Tribune where she aims to focus on the hope, optimism and solution stories, according to The Loft.
Solutions journalism is a way of approaching the news by focusing on the responses to social issues as well as the problems themselves. The topics can range from racial equity to climate change, according to Medium.
“Nothing short of a global shift in journalism, focusing on what the news misses most often: how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn in their success or failures,” Rosenblum said.
Rosenblum’s presentation centered on bringing awareness to solutions journalism and how it’s changing journalists’ approach to stories.
Rayes Gallegos, a UNM student present at Rosenblum’s talk, said journalism that is not solution based tends to prioritize a model of sensation and violence in stories as opposed to solutions-based journalism which, as the name implies, prioritizes solutions.
News outlets, such as The Washington Post and Mother Jones, are embracing solutions journalism by giving their publications their own column dedicated to it, according to Rosenblum.
Rosenblum hopes to keep her connection with UNM and provide a scholarship within the department of communications and journalism aimed at having one student follow the solutions journalism beat.
Aldo Jurado is a freelance reporter at the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Jurado11Aldo
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