Creating engagement with solutions visuals

Testing the effects of problem-oriented versus solution-oriented photojournalism

Bibliographic Data

ID12700706
AuthorsNicole Smith Dahmen (0000-0001-5903-2515, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA, corresponding author), Kathryn Thier (0000-0003-3806-8951, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA), Brent Walth (University of Oregon, Eugene, USA)
Year2019
Volume20
Issue2
Pages271-288
Publication date2019-03-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueVisual Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1470-3572 • E-ISSN: 1741-3214
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1470357219838601
OpenAlexW2923693795
LanguageEN
Citations received27
References cited18

An increasing number of news organizations are reporting stories about responses to persistent societal problems, a reporting form known as solutions journalism. While this type of reporting practice is typically text-based, visual reporting can also be solutions journalism. Photojournalism theory and practice pose particular insights for advancing academic understanding of solutions journalism. This study uses an experiment to examine effects of exposure to problem-oriented versus solution-oriented photojournalism for three different story topics. The study examines important variables such as narrative engagement, interest, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions. Study data suggest that narrative engagement can play an important role in involving audiences in visual solutions reporting, with data showing that solutions visual reporting is more engaging on average. Further, when audiences are more engaged in the visual solutions reporting, participants report more positive outcomes for interest, self-efficacy, and behavior intentions. Study findings have implications for both journalism theory and for the practice of visual solutions journalism

Art · Journalism · Media studies · Narrative · Photography · Photojournalism · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Visual arts · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Media Influence and Health · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology · Social Psychology

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