Social responsibility of the media as an effective result of solutions journalism

Abstract

The relevance of the research shows solutions journalism as a necessary tool for providing information to the audience that emphasizes problem solving rather than the problems themselves, enhancing the relevance of the text, clarifying its purpose, and encouraging readers to take action. The main objective of the article is to investigate the peculiarities of solutions journalism as a modern phenomenon in journalism and to analyze the importance to implement social responsibility in media structures in order to provide solutions to existing problems, not just describe them. The methodology of the article includes: approaches to the definition of the concepts of «solutions journalism» have been explored through analysis and synthesis; using the systematic method, the criteria for defining «solutions journalism» and its difference from similar terms are formed; the comparative method to analyse the audience involvement in solving social problems before and after the emergence of «solutions journalism» was carried out; content analysis made it possible to examine the use of the terms «problem» and «solution» by society in the Internet; SWOT analysis explores peculiarities of solutions journalism; the cognitive mapping method identifies cause-and-effect relations to the importance of creating social projects by media structures. Research findings show that experts in solutions journalism explain that this approach complements the traditional role of the press, giving a fuller perspective on issues for society. Moreover, under the initiative of Sparknews, an international network of positive-impact solutions journalism, a day dedicated to solutions journalism – Impact Journalism Day – was launched. Moreover, media not only transform their texts into solutions journalism, but also create projects that help solving current problems, including the BBC's «100 Women» Project, CNN's #MyFreedomDay Project, the NY Times's «1619 Project», as well as the social project «People of Ideas +. #ForgetAboutAge» by the 1+1 Media Group. As a conclusion, we can say that in the modern world a rethinking of the role of the media is needed. Journalism cannot continue to cover only problems, and to suppress the readers by illuminating the challenges facing humanity. It is important to promote «value-added journalism», which we call as «solutions journalism» in the article.