Can solutions journalism counter news avoidance? A choice experiment examining effects on emotions, self-efficacy, and news engagement

Abstract

Solutions journalism has been proposed as a potential remedy to the negativity bias in news coverage, which is often blamed for emotional exhaustion and disengagement among audiences, eventually leading to news avoidance. However, it remains unclear who is drawn to such content and what effects it produces. This study presents a large-scale choice experiment ( N = 4622) examining preferences for solution-focused versus problem-focused journalism on antibiotic resistance, and the effects on emotions, self-efficacy, and news engagement. Participants were presented with one of four news stories focused on either problems or solutions at either an individual level or societal level. Some participants were assigned to watch a specific news story, and others were free to choose themselves. The results show a clear preference for solutions journalism, particularly when stories are framed at the individual level, though not more strongly among news avoiders. Exposure to solutions journalism increases positive emotions, reduces negative ones, and enhances self-efficacy, but does not boost news engagement (e.g., sharing, searching, or discussion). Together, the findings suggest that solutions journalism can to some extent counter news avoidance, yet it is not a definitive remedy.