Beyond western origins: The global evolution and theoretical maturation of constructive journalism research (2021–24)

This systematic review of constructive journalism research (2021–24) analyses 80 publications, revealing three key developments: geographic diversification from North American dominance to global scholarship, theoretical maturation from practice-oriented to robust academic framework and functional expansion serving multiple research purposes. The field now draws from interdisciplinary foundations in psychology, communication studies and sociology, functioning as a research focus, analytical tool, industry reform direction and social discourse case study. Regional variations reflect diverse societal challenges and cultural traditions, with constructive elements often found in content not explicitly labelled as such, suggesting universal applicability of constructive principles in quality journalism. Findings indicate constructive journalism has evolved into a theoretically grounded, globally relevant approach offering pathways for addressing contemporary media challenges in an increasingly fragmented landscape.