What is the role of information in the era of the impact economy? This question sparked a journey in 2024 at Torino Social Impact to explore how journalism can help drive change in a context where all actors in society—from institutions to businesses—are called to take action to address major environmental and social challenges. Journalists and experts from Italy and abroad engaged in a debate starting from the analysis of pioneering experiences beyond our borders: constructive journalism or solutions journalism, which is based on a new approach focused on solutions rather than just the problems described in facts and stories.

What do we mean by impact journalism? How can information contribute to an economic, environmental, and social paradigm shift today? Can the social impact of news be measured?

These and other questions were discussed by Mario Calderini, economist, professor at the Politecnico di Milano, and spokesperson for Torino Social Impact, alongside journalists Elisabetta Soglio, editor of Buone Notizie – L’Impresa del bene, a weekly section of Corriere della Sera, and Annalisa Cuzzocrea, columnist and reporter for Repubblica.

The discussion explored how journalism is already purpose-driven, as information is an essential element for a fairer and more democratic society. From this perspective, journalism should not only inform but also play a role in spreading best practices that help society progress.

In this context, solution journalism was presented as a potential tool for transformative reporting: by focusing on effective responses to social issues, it can inspire individuals and organizations to take positive action, shifting the narrative toward solutions rather than solely emphasizing the negativity of the problem.

The debate highlighted a shift in journalistic perspective: without denying the problem or its complexity and negative consequences, the focus was placed on identifying and showcasing solutions, ideally scalable ones.

Today, hundreds of initiatives worldwide promote impact journalism through the work of journalists, dedicated media outlets, media networks, as well as awards and recognitions.

People and organizations are leading a global transformation in journalism. What unites them is their commitment to investigating the root causes of social issues, revealing their complexity, and highlighting stories and experiences that have a positive impact on society—encouraging a more informed, engaged, and aware citizenry.

Relive the event!
Watch the full video of the discussion and discover insights from the key speakers.