The session was led by seasoned journalist and development communicator Lilian Kaivilu, a certified Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) trainer and Co-Founder of Africa Solutions Media Hub.
Over 30 journalism students at Zetech University’s Ruiru campus received in-depth training on Solutions Journalism on Friday, May 16, 2025, in a two-hour interactive session conducted by Africa Solutions Media Hub.
The training, held at the university’s School of Communication and Media Studies, was led by seasoned journalist and development communicator Lilian Kaivilu, a certified Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) trainer and Co-Founder of Africa Solutions Media Hub.
The training was made possible by Zetech University lecturer and media trainer Eliud Mwangi.
The SJN, based in New York, is a global nonprofit organization that equips journalists to report on responses to social problems using high standards of evidence and accountability.
The network supports a worldwide community of reporters and newsrooms with training, tools, and resources to produce rigorous and compelling journalism that informs and empowers the public.
The training at Zetech University introduced diploma and degree-level journalism students to the core principles of Solutions Journalism, a growing journalistic approach that focuses on how people respond to social challenges.
The session aimed to empower aspiring journalists to move beyond problem-centric reporting and embrace rigorous, evidence-based storytelling that investigates real-world responses to societal issues.
A shift from problem-only journalism
In her opening remarks, Kaivilu emphasized that traditional journalism has often prioritized reporting on problems without offering audiences any sense of what is being done to address those issues.
“Solutions Journalism doesn’t ignore the problem—it complements it by focusing on how individuals or organizations are responding to it,” she explained.
She defined Solutions Journalism as “journalism that investigates and explains, critically and clearly, how people are trying to solve widely shared problems.”
She emphasized that this form of reporting is not public relations or promotional content but rather rigorous journalism that holds responses to the same standards of evidence, accuracy, and balance as traditional reporting.
The four pillars of solutions journalism
Kaivilu introduced the students to the Four Pillars of Solutions Journalism—the foundation upon which all such stories are built:
Response: The story must focus on a response to a clearly defined social problem. It should explain the causes, context, and intervention used to tackle the issue, showing how and why the response works—or doesn’t.
Evidence: A Solutions Journalism story requires evidence that a response is making a measurable difference. This includes data, research, testimonials, and expert evaluations.
Insights: The story should draw lessons from the response, explaining why it worked (or failed), what others can learn from it, and what conditions enabled its success.
Limitations: No solution is perfect. Journalists must honestly explore the shortcomings of a response, including who may not benefit or the risks associated with scaling or replicating it.
These pillars distinguish Solutions Journalism from advocacy or feel-good human interest stories by ensuring a high level of journalistic rigor.
Avoiding common pitfalls
During the training, students were guided on what does not qualify as Solutions Journalism. Kaivilu listed seven red flags, including stories that engage in “hero worship,” promote vague intentions without evidence, or ignore the limitations of a response.
“It’s not Solutions Journalism if you only highlight the problem, focus more on the implementer than the response, or write a story that reads like PR,” she cautioned.
Encouraging reflection and participation
The session was highly interactive, with students participating in discussions on why Solutions Journalism matters in today’s media landscape.
Many noted that it offers hope, especially in an era of increasing news fatigue and cynicism about governance and development.
“Solutions Journalism helps restore trust in the media by showing that progress is possible. It also empowers communities with actionable insights,” said one student during the reflection session.
Kaivilu shared real-world examples of impactful Solutions Journalism, including stories about Kenyan farmers adapting to drought, women in Kisumu turning synthetic hair waste into doormats, and local efforts in Rwanda to eliminate cervical cancer.
These case studies illustrated how journalists can apply a Solutions lens across different beats such as health, agriculture, education, and governance.
Addressing challenges and opportunities
The training also touched on the boosts and barriers to producing Solutions Journalism in today’s media environment.
Among the barriers discussed were a lack of supportive editors, limited newsroom resources, and the time-intensive nature of investigative reporting.
Kaivilu encouraged students to seek mentorship, explore partnerships, and join networks like the Solutions Journalism Network to sustain their interest.
She advised, “You can pitch Solutions stories during slow news cycles or tie them to ongoing debates to stay relevant. Also, scout for grants to support your fieldwork.”
On his part, Mwangi, who is a lecturer at Zetech University, challenged students to always be on the lookout for learning opportunities.
He said journalism as a profession has endless opportunities, but students must be ready to go the extra mile.
“When you see opportunities, go for them, keep learning, and keep building yourself. Put into practice what you have learned always, be active, you can even contribute articles and other media content to Zetech University’s internal magazine,” he said.
Zetech University’s commitment to practical journalism
Located in Ruiru along Thika Road, Zetech University is a leading private university in Kenya known for its commitment to practical, market-driven education.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Zetech offers a modern learning environment and academic programs that equip students with relevant skills for the job market.
Its School of Communication and Media Studies provides hands-on training in digital and broadcast journalism, media ethics, and now, increasingly, impact-focused journalism practices such as Solutions Journalism.
The institution blends theoretical knowledge with applied skills, giving learners the confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving media industry.
The collaboration with Africa Solutions Media Hub aligns with the university’s mission to foster innovation, professionalism, and excellence in journalism education.
Looking ahead
As the training concluded, students were encouraged to apply the SoJo lens in their reporting, whether in campus publications or national media platforms.
“Solutions Journalism doesn’t replace traditional reporting—it expands it,” Kaivilu reiterated.
Africa Solutions Media Hub, which specializes in documenting the impact of philanthropy and social change across Africa, continues to train emerging journalists to tell stories that inspire, inform, and empower.
The event marked another milestone in building a new generation of journalists equipped not only to expose problems but to examine and explain efforts to solve them.
