Positive News Agency
May 14, 2009 by Holst Group
Edward de Bono’s Message
The media, and especially the press, are usually full of negative news: murders, attacks, economic failures etc. It may be that experience has indeed shown that negative matters are of more interest to readers.
Even if this is so, I believe that at least one page of positive news would be welcomed by readers. Readers would turn to this page – even if they found the negative stuff more interesting.
Editors might agree with me. Then they would ask where positive stuff is to come from. Negative stuff comes easily from the police or the law courts. But where is the source of positive stuff.
So my suggestion is that someone sets up a ‘Positive News Agency’. This would be a news agency like Reuters. It would collect positive news and make it available on demand.
When I was with Edward today in a taxi we discussed this. I absolutely agree that we need more mature balance in reporting. The media present themselvesa as “independent” but are peddling news that “sells”. Their biased negative reporting has exarcebated the recessiom and cost people their jobs. How irresponsible can you get.
Hi Mr Bono,
We are clearly on the same page – creating a paradigm shift!
I have set up a NEW news channel called Make News Good in South Africa with the intention of going global – to specifically get positive news into mainstream media and create more balanced content. It is the MOST EXCITING initiative – and I’d love for you to be an ambassador. I’d like to share more with you – how do I go about doing this?
Thank you for your insight!
Gina
Dear Mr. de Bono -
I have been a fan of yours for nearly three decades — picked up lateral thinking in graduate school.
I’ve always thought that a “Good News Network” was necessary to combat the constant barrage of depressing news offered up by the media. Interesting how we have come to characterize what constutes news — all the negative, destructive, violent, aberrant behavior in the world. I think it says something about us as humans (or maybe just the media) — a focus on the negative. Granted, we’ve seen some positive stories, but its the exception rather than the rule.
I know these are difficult times. And people are facing incredible challenges. But there are many people who are doing so with dignity, creativity and generosity towards others that is quite remarkable. We need to hear and see more of their stories. If we focused on those stories, maybe others would have a sense of hope and possibility to help them get through another challenging day.
I’m no Pollyanna, but it does make a difference whether you see the glass as half empty or half full. Optimism is a powerful force.
Thank you for your contributions to making the world a better place!
Ted
Sky News in the UK broadcasts ‘7Days’ every Sunday on Sky News Active (red button). It is a roundup of the lighter stories from the week.
Not quite a ‘positive news channel’ but it is always a relief to hear about the the skateboarding cat from Illinois rather than how much the UK taxpayer is spending on cleaning our MP’s moats.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/7Days-Clever-Esc-APE-By-Orangutan/Video/200905315283252?lpos=Strange+News_3&lid=VIDEO_1904245_7Days:+Clever+Esc-APE+By+Orangutan&videoCategory=Strange+News
Hello, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a publication dedicated to positive news stories!
Positive News is a quarterly international newspaper, founded in 1993. We are the leading news source in our field, highly experienced in obtaining the most inspiring news. The newspaper reports on positive changes occurring across the world and looks at the challenges of our time from a solution-based perspective.
Positive News gives strong representation to issues less covered by the mainstream media and champions the many individuals and enterprises that are working to create a more healthy, humane and environmentally sustainable world.
As well as informing readers of positive developments across many fields, the paper also seeks, through constructive journalism, to reveal the potential for positive change and to inspire that change.
A regular youth section – Positive Youth News – focuses on the ideas, activities and achievements of young people and organisations working with youth. It frequently includes writing from young, aspiring journalists.
Visit our website and get in touch! http://www.positivenews.org.uk. We also have a Facebook group, visit http://groups.to/positivenews
You can subscribe and receive the newspaper directly to your door! We are based in the UK and also have US and Hong Kong editions.