At a press conference Thursday (Aug. 2) at The Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Honolulu, Desmond Tutu told reporters that the media “tends to tell mainly bad stories.”

The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate said society is “inundated” with such stories, arguing that not enough credit is given to “fantastic human beings” such as those volunteering in refugee camps in South Sudan.

“You write about conflict,” he said, instead of telling the “good stories” that demonstrate the world “can become better.”

Tutu, the archbishop emeritus of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, is in town, where his activities include meeting public officials (including Gov. Neil Abercrombie) and giving lectures. Click here to view a schedule.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge, Aug. 2, 2012.