It's not all doom and gloom

[LP note: My wife and I subscribe to the Christian Science Monitor, which is not inexpensive but well worth it. Why? Unlike the sensationalist reporting that pervades the MSM — including regrettably public radio and TV — the Christian Science Monitor takes a broader look at the news, including outstanding international coverage. Plus, it always includes pages of positive stories, which gives a truer, more "fair and balanced" representation of the world.]

The underreported good news

Stories of the world’s challenges abounded in 2015. But longer, deeper trend lines that show progress need reporting too.

By the Christian Science Monitor's Editorial Board
JANUARY 5, 2016

The first step in correcting a problem is learning that a problem exists. That’s why a basic role of journalism is to expose and explain the challenges that face humanity.

But sometimes the unending litany of problems can blind us to the bigger picture, one that often shows long-term trend lines heading in a much more positive direction. Journalists need to tell these stories, too – including why the good news is happening and how it might be reinforced or replicated elsewhere.

Terrorism, violence, refugees, income inequality, racial inharmony, etc., – make your own list – present huge and troubling challenges. But it’s refreshing to see how some journalists and scholars have decided to open 2016 by reminding readers of the progress going on, news often given little mention compared with headlines that announce the latest tragedy.

Examples from 2015 could include:

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