Giving Compass' Take:

• Sara Catania, in her article on The Whole Story, explains how one form of journalism can influence potential solutions to major issues.

• Why is the power of reporting so powerful, especially in today's world? How can we harness that power in a positive way? What can you do to help credible sources maintain their impact?

• Read more about the importance of philanthropy in journalism.

A four-part investigative series by Kenny Jacoby published on the USA Today Network on sexual assault and college athletics included a deeply reported solutions journalism story that helped prompt a call to action by Congress and a pledge by the NCAA to review its policies.

Jacoby said incorporating solutions journalism reporting into the series showed readers a possible path forward, whether they were members of the general public, leaders of sports programs at colleges and universities, members of Congress or the NCAA.

The solutions journalism story in the series focuses on the most effective policy, known as the Tracy Rule after Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and activist. The Tracy rule “establishes a firm, zero tolerance stance” on violent and sexual offenses, Jacoby said.

Nicole Dahmen is an associate professor and part of the faculty team who pioneered collegiate teaching and research on solutions journalism at the University of Oregon, where Jacoby got his start. In a Facebook Live conversation with Jacoby, she described UO’s approach to teaching solutions journalism.

“Our premise has been that investigative reporting uncovers the problem,” Dahmen said. “And that’s so, so, so important and we absolutely need that. But it can leave audiences feeling hopeless.

“But what solutions journalism can then come in and do, is say, well here’s a response that actually works. And here’s some evidence that it’s working. And so we have taught our students to investigate solutions just as rigorously as you investigate the problem.

“The idea is that if you uncover the problem and you also show what other communities are doing to help create response to the problem, that can then show elected leaders and community members that, hey, this problem can be effectively responded to and it puts greater pressure on leaders to then do something."

Read the full article about how solutions journalism can help change issues by Sara Catania of The Whole Story at Medium.