“Foundations and Principles of Solutions Journalism” is the webinar organized by Torino Social Impact as part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative. On Monday, June 17, from 2:00 PM, national and international experts will discuss how to promote impactful and solutions-oriented journalism.
Among the speakers will be Jodie Jackson, known for being the author and founder of News Literacy Lab, and for her TEDxLondon talk “How to Heal a Broken Worldview”. Jackson is a prominent figure in the solutions journalism movement, addressing the impact of the “media diet” on our mental health and storytelling for social change.
Her influential books include “You Are What You Read: Why Changing Your Media Diet Can Change the World” and “Little Ruffle and the World Beyond,” which have helped people integrate media literacy into their lives to improve their worldview and mental health. Her pioneering educational program “Navigating News, Nurturing Hope” has also helped younger audiences become more informed and empowered to act.
News Literacy Lab: promoting news literacy
According to Jodie Jackson, “If we want to build a better world, we must first understand it better.” This belief led to the creation of News Literacy Lab, a non-profit organization that aims to help people develop the skills necessary to successfully navigate the news and develop an accurate worldview.
The Lab focuses on empowering young people with essential skills to navigate today’s news landscape. Thus, news literacy should not only be considered an essential life skill but also a powerful catalyst for positive change.
News Literacy Lab’s educational program goes beyond addressing the symptoms of a polluted information environment, enabling people to actively participate in creating a healthier information ecosystem. It supports systemic action to address the root causes of harmful and misleading information.
With a strong emphasis on solutions journalism and mental health, the Lab’s mission is to leverage the power of information literacy to improve our individual and collective well-being.
The impact of news on our mental health
Over the past decade, Jodie Jackson has conducted research on the harmful impact of news-related biases on our mental health, both individually and collectively.
She holds a master’s degree in positive psychology, and her widely cited research has made her an influential figure in the constructive journalism movement. Jackson has written for established and emerging journalistic platforms, participated in panels with prominent thinkers, academics, and journalists, conducted workshops and training sessions for journalists, educators, parents, and students, and spoken at universities and conferences worldwide on media and mental health.
