Happy Newspapers (wake up to some positive news!)
Swiss thinker Rolf Dobelli gave up reading the news years ago, and has never looked back. He asks you – out of all the thousands of news items you have read in the last year – which have done you any good – or helped others? Likely none of them.
Far better instead to educate yourself by reading good books, then donating to small charities that help, of your own choosing.
News stories are overwhelmingly about things you cannot influence. It grinds us down and I would not be surprised if news consumption at least partially, contributes to the widespread cause of depression.
I know a bunch of viciously uncreative minds who consume news like drugs. If you want to come up with old solutions, read news. If you are looking for new solutions, don’t. Rolf Dobelli
We all know what it’s like to wake up to the sound of a news alert, only to be greeted by stories that can dampen our spirits. Starting your day with a dose of negativity can set a gloomy tone for the hours ahead. Instead, consider the power of positive news!
The Happy News (wake up to something positive!)
The Happy News is a colourful newspaper, packed with stories about ordinary people doing good things. Artist Emily Coxhead created it, to celebrate good in the world, frustrated with the constant stream of negative news. Each issue highlights real people and positive events from across the globe.
As well as celebrating real heroes (like Sir David Attenborough), The Happy News shines a light on people who make a difference but rarely get attention. Bus drivers, nurses, teachers, and volunteers often feature on its pages.
Positive.News magazine (inspiring current affairs)
Positive.News is published quarterly, and includes stories of social and environmental progress, quality independent reporting focused on solutions, and tips to boost wellbeing.
You can find this sometimes in local veggie cafes and independent shops. Sample articles include:
- Recycled musical Instruments donated to youngsters
- Organisations helping indie artists thrive
- Communities of regenerative farmers
- Life after sexual assault and leaving cults
- Singer Sam Ryder’s life lessons!
Goodnewspaper (look for the helpers!)
Goodnewspaper is a lovely monthly newspaper from the USA, that focuses on sharing the good in the world, and leaving you feeling more hopeful and informed, after reading it. It has a super post on how to help Ukraine (including organisations that help animals in war zones)).
You can also subscribe to the goodnewsletter and the Sounds Good podcast that hosts interviews with those who are helping to make the world a better place.
The founder Branden Harvey was inspired to create a community of 500,000 world-changers, from a quote by Fred Rogers:
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Each edition follows a theme. For example:
The Helpers
- Providing life-saving aid in Gaza
- Protecting immigrant neighbours in communities
The Fashion Edition
- Making clothing disability-inclusive
- How textile recycling is slowing fast fashion
- A lesson in upcycling clothes
The Dogs Edition
- How volunteer vets help homeless dogs
- Heart-warming science on dog companionship
The Education Edition
- How ‘free-range kids’ are understanding nature
- Dolly Parton’s legacy on children’s literacy
The Good News Post (in memory of Jill Dando)
The Good News Post is an online digital newspaper, packed with good stories. It’s a lovely story, powered by an ‘expanding army’ of young journalists age 4 to 21.
All trained by professionals, inspired by the memory of BBC TV reporter Jill Dando, in her manner of kindness, empathy and positivity (her brother who is also a journalist helps out).
Already some have interviewed MPs and the site has its own mental health and disabilities correspondents. There are now an expanding group of Good News Rooms across the UK and around the world (including Malawi), and the Jill Dando Garden (first planted with Alan Titchmarch on Ground Force 26 years ago) is looking to be revamped.
What an exciting project that the Good News Post now has a mission to go global, especially in our negative news world. Her brother is over the moon that the project hopes to inspire one million children to be ‘positive reporters’ within a few years, with a blue plaque honouring her home town of Weston-super-Mare.
Not only was Jill a fantastic journalist, but as everyone said who knew her, she always did it with a smile and she loved the positive stories. Everybody just had so many nice things to say about her. Shane Dean, Good News Post editor
Recent stories include:
- Allotment holders help local homeless people
- Teen who survives cardiac arrest teaches CPR
- Weekend Dental Clinics Help Homeless People
- A Rescued Horse Starts New Happy life
- Kittens Found In Landfill Rescued by Volunteers
- Supporting locally-made blinds (good to prevent bird strike)
- How to Live in Harmony with Seagulls!
The Happy Broadcast (positive news, with cartoons!)
The Happy Broadcast is a fun site run by an Italian cartoonist who lives in the US. He found that after reading the news, it upset his day, so instead decided to create daily cartoons to highlight the good things that are happening in the world.
Latest good news includes:
- Australian koala populations show signs of recovery
- Water purification technology benefits billions
- Norway officially ends fur farming
- French parliament votes to ban forever chemicals
- Mexico puts animal welfare into constitution
There – you feel better already, don’t you?
