Northern Kentucky University hosts UC experts at Lunch with the Pros

Do too many negative headlines lead to news fatigue? How can journalists engage their audiences and share stories that matter?

Three experienced Cincinnati journalists, two with strong UC connections, shared their thoughts to a group of faculty and students at Northern Kentucky University this week.

At the Lunch with the Pros event, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences Associate Director of Marketing & Communications and Special Projects Director Elissa Yancey joined McMicken Professor of Journalism and former Enquirer editor Tom Callinan as well as former New York Times reporter and WCPO Education writer Bob Driehaus for the session focused on the concept of Restorative Narrative.

“Restorative narratives are about getting to heart of the story and telling more of the story,” said Yancey, who was named an inaugural fellow of the emerging genre by the international Images and Voices of Hope non-profit. Her Restorative Narrative project, A Prayer for Winton Terrace, was published by WCPO Digital last year. 

She said that wwhen it comes to restorative narratives, she believes that reporters need to follow the lives of story subjects after the initial “news” event is over. Continued reporting allows journalists to provide context and ultimately allow their audiences to connect with stories on deeper levels. 

Driehaus, who has also worked for the Kentucky Post, became interested in Restorative Narratives after exploring the world of civic journalism in college. “Ever since thenm I have always tried to focus on solution orientated journalism,” he said. 

Callinan, founder of the non-profit Charitable Words said that Restorative Narratives highlight individuals and avenues that lead to hopefulness instead of focusing solely on problems.

“Instead of looking for stories that are spinning on access of conflict,” he said, “you go in and try to find hope.”