IN THE TRADITIONAL MODEL OF JOURNALISM, reporters zero in on society's problems: poverty, crime, global warming, etc. This is hugely important work. It's necessary for a people that hopes to self-govern. It's also a bummer. It can leave readers feeling powerless.
But there's another way.
“Solutions journalism” seeks to widen the investigative lens by taking a hard look not only at problems, but also at possible responses. This doesn't mean that reporters advocate for policies, only that they interrogate them: Which seem to be working locally? Which don't? What are other cities trying? Does evidence suggest St. Louis could benefit from trying that, too? And all the while, a solutions reporter aims to be transparent about a given policy's pros and cons, tradeoffs and uncertainties.
In March, began an experiment: We launched a newsletter called “Solutions” to bring you these kinds of—the extent to which St. Louisans can move around our spaces without fearing harm. Safety fertilizes the soil for —businesses and humans becoming more prosperous. Growth would boost —for kids as well as for grown-ups. Education lights the way to —to those who've suffered an injustice. And fairness to future generations demands that we up our game. All these areas influence one another.
