Constructive or Constrained? Solutions Journalism in an Authoritarian State

Some have expressed concern that the Western concepts of constructive and solutions journalism could be used to silence critical journalists in countries with restrictions on media freedom. Using qualitative interviews, this study asked journalists in Rwanda if they believe solutions journalism is appropriate in their authoritarian media context. Findings indicate that although journalists like the idea of solutions journalism, they believe solutions stories will not benefit society if they cannot exist alongside stories that expose problems.