Reporter

Summary

Join Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) as a Reporter to contribute to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a news database documenting press freedom violations. Reporting to the senior reporter, you will cover press freedom violations, focusing on the Pacific time zone. You will gather and verify information, write reports, and cultivate source relationships. The role requires strong news judgment, writing skills, and data analysis abilities. This full-time position offers a competitive salary ($80,000-90,000) and is preferably based in Los Angeles, but remote work may be considered for strong Pacific time-based candidates. The application process involves a resume, cover letter, news clips, and several interview stages.

Requirements

• An interest in protecting the press freedom rights of all through detailed reporting and a passion for the First Amendment
• Five-plus years of print/digital reporting and researching background, with reporting experience in the press freedom space as well as local reporting and source development. Or equivalent reporting experience in relevant beats (courts, police, crime, public safety, etc.)
• Willingness to follow up on story leads, verify information, and stay on top of developing news
• Ability to use open sources, including court records and social media, to identify, research, and verify news stories
• Strong social media skills to disseminate and amplify stories in a compelling way
• The ability to write quickly and accurately
• Track record of collaborative mindset
• Strong data analytic skills

Responsibilities

• Juggle breaking news updates with long-form written analysis and in-depth enterprise articles, writing clearly while placing events within the context of larger press freedom threats
• Cultivate source relationships and press freedom knowledge
• Develop and execute long-form investigative or research projects
• Coordinate with team members and partner organizations, help organize campaigns around major incidents
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the senior reporter

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge or expertise in encryption and secure newsgathering tools
• Multimedia skills, including in graphics and audio/visual editing
• Familiarity with FPF’s production tools: Google Workspace, GitHub, Mailchimp, Wagtail
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic

Benefits

• Competitive nonprofit salary in the range of $80,000-90,000, depending on experience
• Full-time role