By Boluwatife Adedokun
The Harbinger has trained journalists on Solutions Journalism (SoJo), emphasizing its role in holding the government accountable and driving impactful storytelling.
The training, held on Monday, was facilitated by Promise Eze, an international journalist, who debunked common misconceptions about Solutions Journalism.
He clarified that SoJo is not PR, advocacy, or activism, stating, “The fact that you are a SoJo writer doesn’t mean you are now an activist. You don’t need to always get people angry before holding them accountable.”
Promise explained that Solutions Journalism provides an evidence-based approach to reporting on responses to social problems, rather than merely highlighting issues.
He stressed that telling impactful, solution-driven stories is an effective way to hold power accountable.
He also introduced participants to the four pillars of Solutions Journalism, which include:
Response – Examining how individuals or institutions are addressing a problem.
Evidence – Providing proof and data on the effectiveness of the response.
Insights – Drawing lessons from the response for broader application.
Limitations – Acknowledging gaps and challenges in the solution.
Promise further emphasized that Solutions Journalism is not a biography or mere success story but a rigorous form of journalism that evaluates solutions critically.
He highlighted its key benefit in governance, stating that by reporting on effective responses, journalists can encourage problem-solving and push policymakers to act.
The session, organized by The Harbinger, aimed at equipping journalists with the necessary skills to tell solution-focused stories that inspire change and accountability.
