Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 216 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Beirut explosion: Lebanese open their homes to strangers displaced by blast

Olivia Cuthbert

August 05, 2020 |

The National |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Lebanon, Beirut

Within hours of a massive explosion that left 300,000 people homeless, residents in and around Beirut opened their doors to house those impacted by the destruction. Thawramap, which normally identifies locations of peaceful protests, posted a map online showing where housing was available in private homes, hotels, and shelters. Six hours after the explosion 42 locations were available on the map to accommodate thousands, with more offers on social media using the hashtag #ourhomesareopen. Despite intense political polarization that often divides people in Lebanon, residents are displaying great solidarity.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How #HireBlack Is Helping 10,000 Black Women Get Trained, Hired, And Promoted

Janice Gassam Asare

July 27, 2020 |

Forbes |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

A social media post transformed into an initiative to help companies in their search for Black talent. #HireBlack provides a community space where Black women can receive help with their job search, resumes, salary negotiations, and networking while tapping into the recent corporate effort of hiring and retaining Black talent. Over 150 Black women have received coaching and over 1,000 women have been provided with resume help. The objective is to help 10,000 Black women reach their professional goals.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Black Lives Matter Protests Rarely End in Violence – Especially in Appalachia

Chris Jones

July 23, 2020 |

100 Days in Appalachia |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, West Virginia

Thirty-six people protesting police violence and racism held the first civil rights march in Terra Alta. Met by counter-protesters with guns who were expecting out-of-town agitators, the groups engaged in peaceful and respectful dialogue rather than conflict. Each side expressed their viewpoints and shared the personal experiences that helped form those views. While they did not agree on many topics, they both felt that social media and mainstream media portrayals of the two groups fueled misinformation and ill will. Instead, both sides saw each other as human beings rather than stereotypes and caricatures.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Your Local Election Clerk Is Fighting Global Disinformation

Matt Vasilogambros

July 20, 2020 |

Stateline |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Many entities are working with social media companies to flag election-related disinformation. The California Secretary of State emails voters about how to report false information so the state can flag it and the Arizona Secretary of State verifies official accounts with social media companies. In the private sector, the startup VineSite uses artificial intelligence to identify and flag false information and the nonprofit Mitre has an app used by 160 election officials to report social media disinformation. Officials have a good relationship with social media companies, but there is room for improvement.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'Black At' Instagram accounts put campus racism on display

Delece Smith-Barrow

July 06, 2020 |

The Hechinger Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Students at colleges across the U.S. are taking to social media to confront racism and biases at their campuses. Over 40 "Black at" Instagram accounts were launched in June on which students share their personal stories of racism on campus, educate interested parties through reading lists, and share resources for those wanting to confront their biases and be actively antiracist. Many of the accounts have garnered large followings, and some have even raised thousands of dollars to support defense funds and community centers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The problem with Facebook's plan to sign up 4 million voters

Alex Pasternack

July 03, 2020 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

In the past decade, Facebook's US voter engagement campaigns included registration and election-day reminders for its 61 million 18+ users and sharing friends’ voting behavior. One study attributes hundreds of thousands of more votes to these election campaigns, with friends’ voting behavior the strongest influencer. The California Secretary of State credits the 4th highest voter registration daily total to Facebook’s same day reminder. Criticisms include not releasing data for independent review and negative aspects of its influence like potential liberal biases and the 2016 Russian disinformation campaign.

Read More
Go to Original Story
WhatsApp for Social Good: How Nigerians used the platform to show care during the COVID-19 lockdown

Chibuike Alagboso

June 30, 2020 |

Nigeria Health Watch |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

Communities in Nigeria have been using WhatsApp to manage isolation and help provide support to their fellow residents during the coronavirus pandemic. In many instances organizations and individuals are helping to raise and provide funds to those who are experiencing financial hardship.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How countries without governments are relying on WhatsApp to tackle COVID-19

Ian Wylie

June 29, 2020 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Syria

Digital platforms allow Syrian doctors living abroad to assist over-burdened local doctors deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. Conflict has severely limited Syria's health services, so NGOs use online platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp to allow Syrian doctors abroad to provide consultations, deliver trainings, and share resources - including a daily forum for local doctors to get second opinions on cases. Thousands of volunteers have joined and organizers think this model can work in other conflict areas if local agents are engaged, they have the trust of the population, and there is the technical capacity.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Facebook is using AI to boost blood donation

Faustine Ngila

June 25, 2020 |

Nation Africa |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya

A partnership between Facebook and the Ministry of Health in Kenya has helped connect blood banks with blood donors. The process uses artificial intelligence and geo-location data to notify Facebook users who have signed up as blood donors when blood banks in their area are in need of donations.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How 12 Teens Who'd Never Met Before Organized Honolulu's Black Lives Matter Protest

Suevon Lee

June 22, 2020 |

Honolulu Civil Beat |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Honolulu, Hawaii

Twelve Honolulu high school students, who had only ever met online, used social media to organize a Black Lives Matter protest that drew over 10,000 people. The teens used online forums to communicate about their goals for the protest and also to provide details to the public regarding the march's route, reminders to wear masks, remain peaceful, and abide by city laws. The teens also enlisted the support of established organizations to provide volunteers and bring hand sanitizer, water bottles, face masks, and bullhorns. The result was an entirely peaceful and emotionally stirring protest march and rally.

Read More
Go to Original Story