There is a lot that can be said about the year 2016. There were a few good days, several bad days and some outright devastating ones. “The worst year of my life” and “2016 has taken another one” have been relatively common postings on social media as of late. Personal losses, family hardships, celebrity deaths and evil acts that take innocent lives are gut-wrenching to say the least.
Since life must go on, many are looking to fill the airwaves and social channels with positive news. News that uplifts, inspires and offers a glimmer of hope in a world that seems so dark.
Two weeks ago I saw a social post written by a local news personality. In it, she asked her followers to send “good news story ideas” her way. As the reporter who often covers the hard, breaking news, I can only imagine the toll it must take over time on her emotional health. Just this week a popular morning radio show host urged listeners to look for the good in the world and to focus on the meaning of the season instead of the negative news of the day. It’s become a theme. Maybe it’s the season or maybe it’s that we all need a pick-me-up.
Finding and pitching good news stories has always been a focus for many public relations professionals, but getting coverage for such stories was becoming increasingly difficult. Breaking news took precedence over everything else. And, while that may still be true to some extent, could the tide be turning as even those who cover the news have had enough of the negative? Have producers, editors and media executives figured out that wholesome, good news stories are as good, if not better, than being first to break a story? Perhaps. For now, it does appear that the media is responding to the public’s need for hope and positivity.
I was astonished (and pleasantly surprised) to find that several mainstream news outlets have entire sections devoted to “good news,” “uplifting news,” and various other iterations of stories that lift the heart rather than drag it down. Who knew? Yes, we see them occasionally shared on social channels but it hadn’t occurred to me that such stories had earned their own section. A definite good sign, indeed! Here are some to check out:
Today: http://www.today.com/news/good-news
Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/section/good-news
ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/US/Good_News
MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news
Fox News: http://insider.foxnews.com/good-news
The Telegraph (UK): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/good-news/
Positive News: https://www.positive.news/
Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/good-news-2016-happy-stories-533098
Good Morning America: https://gma.yahoo.com/goodnews/
As PR consultants, we ask our clients about the great things they are doing and how they are making a difference. We counsel them to “turn the story upside down.” We want to know who they’ve helped, how they did so and why. That’s the real story—not so much the fact that they did help. It’s an easy fix when communicating but convincing some that it’s the right thing is sometimes challenging because it goes against what many believe is good “marketing.”
The fact remains that good news is all around us—sometimes we just have to dig deeper or find a new lens through which to view the world. If the news media is looking for stories, let’s help them. After all, isn’t that our job? Grab a camera and start capturing things around you. Ask the probing questions and talk to everyone—not just those at the top. You’d be amazed at the goodness that surrounds us. And, let’s face it, we all need it. Let’s bid 2016 farewell with a slew of uplifting stories and start 2017 with a full and grateful heart.
Tell us your good news story in the comments below.
