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!
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!
