Jodie Jackson

Jodie is founder of the News Literacy Network, author of “You Are What You Read: why changing your media diet can change the world” and of children’s book, “Little Ruffle and The World Beyond“.

Over the past decade, Jodie has researched the damaging impact of the negativity bias in the news on our individual and collective mental health, as well as promoting the impact of solutions-focused journalism.

Jodie has a Master’s in Positive Psychology and widely cited research has made her an influential figure within the movement for “Constructive Journalism”. Jodie has written for established and emerging news platforms; spoken on panels with leading thinkers, academics, and journalists; delivered workshops and training to journalists, educators, parents and students and spoken at universities and media and mental health conferences around the world.

WE TURN INTO
WHAT WE TUNE INTO

We are all familiar with the saying ‘you are what you eat’: a simple, but effective summary that has made us increasingly aware of the impact and consequences that food has on our physical health. Well, food is to the body what information is to the mind. The consequences of our mental diet are less visible but just as powerful. Watch the full talk from the launch here

ACTION FOR HAPPINESS

Do you ever feel overwhelmed and powerless after watching the news? Does it make you feel sad about the world, without much hope for its future? Take a breath – the world may be better than you think. Author and positive psychologist Jodie Jackson explains the impact that the news has on our mental health and show how we can take a more conscious and constructive approach to our media diet. This was filmed at an Action for Happiness event in London on 9 April 2019

Beyond Fake News – How to Heal a Broken Worldview

The news paints a powerful and often painful picture of the world – But does this reflect our full reality? And might the world be better than we are led to believe? Jodie Jackson, author and news literacy advocate, helps us understand what’s preventing us from being accurately informed, beyond fake news, and provides a simple but powerful strategy to heal our broken worldview. Through her compelling insights, Jodie shows why improving our news diet is vital for improving our individual and collective wellbeing.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

You Are What You Read” succinctly and effectively makes a convincing argument for the value of solutions-focused reporting. It takes a nuanced approach, which acknowledges there is a place for negative news. The way it discusses how to project optimism is fascinating and is something we need more of in our media.

Joseph Litcherman, editorial manager and writer of “Solutions Set” at “The Lenfest Institute“

An incredible, thought-provoking and important book that will give you the tools to navigate the rampant negativity on the news. Jodie Jackson provides insights and tools to help you stay informed without getting depressed. A must-read!

Michelle Gielan, Bestselling Author of Broadcasting Happiness

‘You Are What You Read’ is an incredibly unique and thought provoking book which explains the impact that the news has on our mental health and gives an insight on how we can inform ourselves, whilst avoiding the negative impacts of our current news environment. In a world of tragedy, misinformation, media manipulation and the relentless demonisation of societies, understanding the benefits of solutions journalism helps us all to change narratives and regain faith in credible journalism!

Hacked Off

News consumers will feel energized and empowered by especially the last chapter of “You Are What You Read.” This chapter details what everyday readers can do to better inform themselves while nurturing a more productive news environment.

Steven Youngblood, Director, Center for Global Peace Journalism; author “Peace Journalism Principles and Practices”

The news is bad for you. It’s time to radically change the production and the consumption of media. Jodie Jackson’s brilliant book shows how

Rolf Dobelli, Bestselling author of “The Art of Thinking Clearly”

Jodie Jackson makes a compelling case for why we need to question our news diet, and how it distorts the way we see the world. Let’s hope her book inspires more solutions-based news and positive thinking!

Lily Cole, Co-founder of Impossible

An inspiring call to arms to overcome the negativity bias in our news media. Refreshing, well-researched, balanced and hopeful. Let’s make it happen

Dr Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness

Using well-researched examples, this book powerfully demonstrates the importance of solutions journalism as a way to create better balance, make us better-informed and both empower and inspire us to solve the problems facing our world.

Michael Moller, Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

Well written, thoroughly researched and elegantly presented: This is a truly important book that gives, for the first time, a voice to the frustrated news consumer. Jodie Jackson shows that the real power in changing democracy depends not only on attention seeking politicians, publishers and cynical journalists chasing clicks and shares. It rests with the news consumer. This book shows that the kind of journalism we reward with our time, money and attention will determine the future of journalism, media, and democracy.

Ulrik Haargerup, Founder and CEO of Constructive Institute.

The idea that the media’s window on the world does not distort or does not matter is absurd. That it is so negative is clearly dangerous. It promotes overreaction, conflict, violence. Here is a crisp, refreshing analysis, full of warnings and full of solutions.

Simon Jenkins – Journalist, Author and former editor of The Times

The evidence shows that people are not just depressed by the gusher of crises and outrages that make up today’s news. They’re misinformed, and hold demonstrably false beliefs about the state of the world. Jodie Jackson’s timely and engaging look at contemporary journalism is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary journalism and its role in fostering accurate knowledge and responsible citizenship.

Steven Pinker, Harvard University, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now

This book should be required reading for anyone who consumes or produces news. Jackson details the many harmful, often unexamined, ‘side effects’ of our current news environment – and suggests avenues to protect ourselves and to improve journalism. An urgent call for reform.

David Bornstein, CEO & Co-founder of Solutions Journalism Network

As media organisations globally are starting to embrace constructive journalism, Jodie fulfills a crucial role by engaging and empowering not just those who make the news, but all of us. If ‘You Are What You Read’ is about consuming stories that are good for you, then this very book is a great place to start.

Danielle Batist, Journalist and Co-Founder, The Constructive Journalism Project

Why do we think that the world is falling apart in the era of the greatest progress mankind has seen? Because our worldview is formed by the news, and as Jodie Jackson explains in this important book, the media is biased towards the negative and sensational. But don’t despair, you can change your media diet, and Jodie Jackson knows how to do it. Good news, at last!

Johan Norberg, Author, Progress: 10 Reasons to Look Forward to the Future