Abstract

This research-creation project proposes the application of constructive journalism theory to the practice of digital multimedia documentary production. It uses rural Quebec’s Les Basques region as a creative testing ground to show how theoretical models of constructive journalism can be used to tell stories of radical ruralism in the region. To date, very few examples of how to apply the theoretical teachings of this model to digital multimedia documentary production exist. Constructive journalism is a solutions-oriented model that focuses on positive emotions and reports on affirmative, inspiring and often untold narratives, and aims for engagement and co-creation. Mobilizing elements of previous alternative models such as peace journalism, civic/public journalism and solutions journalism, constructive journalism attempts to respond to declining trust levels and audience disengagement in the news by proposing a model that seeks to inspire hopefulness and resilience. This research-creation project takes a multimedia approach and uses video, photography, audio and text in its digital documentary component, Les Basques autrement. Using the documentary produced, this research also provides a constructive journalism “how-to” guide accompanied by notes and reflections from the field to discuss the implications of applying the model’s theoretical framework in a real-life setting.