Solutions Journalism: What We’ve Done

University of Georgia students traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, where they immersed themselves in Danish culture while producing work inspired by their experiences. During their stay, students attended classes at DIS, a non-profit study abroad foundation, gaining unique insights into Danish society, educational approaches, and key local issues. They also explored Copenhagen’s distinctive landmarks, from Tivoli Gardens—the world’s second-oldest amusement park—to CopenHill, an innovative waste-to-energy plant featuring a rooftop ski slope and hiking trail. These experiences inspired articles on a wide range of topics, including sustainability, food culture, urban design, and the Danish economy. Through these projects, students engaged with the community and gained a richer understanding of Denmark’s approach to social and environmental issues.

The Solutions Journalism Hub of the South worked with Gray Television’s WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina in order to introduce and grow a “solutions journalism mindset” among their reporters. Led by Grady College alum Robby Thomas as general manager, an assessment, then tailored training, and finally feedback on individual packages led to the first solutions journalism done for their community at the station. One series, by Cynthia Beasley, directly addressed solutions reporting as part of a larger arc that involved public documents and more and received great feedback. According to the station, “We looked for solutions … now our reporting is causing talk at the State House about potential changes…” and then members of the legislature noted, “Thanks to WIS and fine reporting, it’s an issue we think is necessary for us to address here in South Carolina … I thought this was a great idea when I saw it.”