Freelance Reporter & Content Producer

📍 Remote (U.S.-based) | 💼 Part-Time, 20 hours/week through Dec. 31, 2026 | 💰 $32 per hour | Independent contractor (1099)

Join Courier Newsroom - an organization that drives journalism and empowers communities.

At Courier Newsroom, we’re reinventing local media to inform and empower communities through impactful reporting. Our mission is rooted in civic engagement and equity—and we’re growing fast.

We are presently looking for a Freelance Reporter & Content Producer. 

The freelance reporter and content producer we’re seeking will provide reporting and social media content creation services on specific editorial programs focused on issues such as climate change, SNAP cuts, school vouchers, clean energy, data centers, and key state and local elections. This is a project‑based engagement with defined weekly deliverables.

COURIER Newsroom is committed to building an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We strongly encourage women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and those from all backgrounds to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to break down barriers and ensure every team member feels seen, heard, and supported.

Scope of Services

As directed by the company:

• Produce approximately 3–4 pieces of original, social‑first reporting per week on assigned topics related to state and local politics, policy, and civic life, across a variety of states.
• Develop and pitch story ideas that align with COURIER’s pro‑democracy, impact‑driven narratives and with the editorial priorities of relevant state newsrooms.
• Report and write clear, accurate, engaging stories, including explainers, accountability pieces, and human‑centered features for news-averse audiences.
• Conduct research, interviews, and fact‑checking, including outreach to impacted community members, subject‑matter experts, elected officials, candidates, and advocates.
• Create social content—including graphics, captions, and short‑form video—using COURIER’s creative platforms.
• Produce presenter‑led videos featuring the consultant as on‑camera talent, tailored to social platforms.
• Final review with editorial leads on assigned work to incorporate feedback in deliverables.
• Contribute to basic documentation of work, including logging stories and content when published.
• Use basic collaboration platforms such as Google Drive to receive assignments, share drafts, and deliver final work product.

The weekly mix of services and assignments will be set with COURIER and may be adjusted by mutual agreement during the engagement.

Ideal Consultant Profile

We’re looking for someone who:​

• Has substantial experience as a reporter, ideally in political or public‑affairs journalism, with familiarity with state‑level politics in more than one region.
• Is comfortable generating original story ideas, interviewing sources, and translating complex policies into clear coverage for largely news-averse social media–based audiences.
• Is comfortable on camera and adept at adapting stories into short‑form video and other social‑friendly formats.
• Can reliably deliver multiple pieces of high‑quality reporting each week in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Is values‑driven and aligned with COURIER’s mission; experience with campaign‑style content is a plus.

The consultant will remain an independent contractor, responsible for their own taxes and not eligible for employee benefits.

Courier Newsroom is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, those with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly urged to apply. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions.

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