German journalists engage UniMAC students on solution-oriented journalism

Two German journalists urged UniMAC journalism students to adopt solution-oriented reporting to drive meaningful societal change.

The visiting journalists, Rike Uhlenkamp and Rainer Kwiotek of the German-based agency Zeitenspiegel Reportagen, shared field experiences and insights on the theme, Constructive Journalism in a Global World.

During the session, they introduced students to solution journalism, also known as “Sojo,” which focuses on reporting not only problems but also the responses and solutions to those issues.

They explained that traditional journalism often concentrates on the “what” of a story, highlighting crises, conflicts, and challenges without exploring how such issues can be addressed.

According to them, this approach has contributed to audience fatigue, as many people are increasingly overwhelmed by negative news coverage.

The speakers stressed that modern audiences are drawn to stories that inspire hope and demonstrate progress, describing “good news” as reports that highlight social, political, and infrastructural solutions that positively impact communities.

Addressing the students, Ms. Uhlenkamp described the visit as meaningful and timely.

“It’s a very good opportunity to give something back to the people of Ghana. Because we’ve been here almost two weeks now, and it’s been a pleasure and welcoming,” she said.

She added that engaging with young journalists from diverse backgrounds was enriching.

“It’s a pleasure to talk to young people and upcoming journalism students from different countries and backgrounds because we are all doing the same thing: good and great journalism,” she noted.

Elaborating further, she said solution journalism goes beyond conventional reporting by presenting both problems and possible responses.

She observed that audiences often feel discouraged by constant exposure to negative news across media platforms.

“The whole idea about solution journalism is going further than normal news coverage. You present the problem, the challenge, and you can also present the solutions,” she explained.

She added that such reporting highlights individuals and organisations working to address societal challenges, offering audiences ideas and encouraging action, while also promoting accountability by drawing attention to how leaders and institutions respond to public concerns.

The engagement, held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Lecture Hall 1.2 on the South Legon, North Dzorwulu campus, brought together members of the Journalism and Media Students’ Association (JOMSA) and lecturers of the School of Journalism and Media Studies (SOJAMS) for a noon session.

The session was highly interactive, with students asking questions and sharing views on the evolving role of journalism.

The visiting journalists also engaged participants with questions, creating a lively exchange.

Students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from experienced international journalists, describing the session as insightful and motivating.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by SOJAMS and JOMSA to expose students to global perspectives and equip them with skills relevant to modern media practice.

Byline: Pascal Senyo Gamor-Kasese, Level 300, UniMAC