Breaking News Reporter

Gannett   McLean, VA   Full-time     Writing / Editing
Posted on April 11, 2024
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Req #41590

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

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Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid.     To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com

Breaking News Reporter

The Statesman Journal/statesmanjournal.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a breaking news reporter.

This reporter is the Statesman Journal’s first line of defense for breaking news, including shootings and fatal crashes, road closures, floods, and earthquakes. Superb source development with police agencies, first responders, and state and local officials is mandatory.

You and your colleagues work with editors to shape the best way to tell individual stories, from text to audio to video to Q&As or other alternative formats.

You also will cover policing and criminal justice through a governmental accountability lens, including the challenges our community faces in rebuilding trust with neglected communities.You will seek out a wide perspective, cultivate diverse sources, and devote resources to debunking myths and stereotypes.

Metrics and audience research will help guide decisions about how to cover topics and issues as you engage with readers on a variety of platforms to drive audience and subscriber growth.

Necessary skills include the ability to report and write quickly with accuracy, comfort with posting stories through multiple iterations as events unfold, and shooting, editing, and posting videos and photographs from the field on deadline.

You also will frequently collaborate with colleagues on bigger breaking news.

Candidates will only be considered if they have a college degree and have completed at least one internship or a year of experience in a digital-first newsroom.

The Statesman Journal covers Marion and Polk counties in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Salem is Oregon’s state capital and is one hour from Portland and 90 minutes from the Oregon Coast. Amazing outdoor experiences are even closer. 

Responsibilities:

  • Produce sensitive, insightful coverage that accurately informs and engages multiple audiences, providing a news product that offers context and diverse points of view.
  • Use metrics and analytics to increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
  • Be courageous about experimentation and deliberate about evolving policy. Identify enterprise opportunities and chase them with passion.
  • Leverage diverse tools, text, images, and video to reach readers in print, digital, and on social media.
  • Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.
  • Serve as an ambassador to the community on the Statesman Journal's behalf and actively seek to engage with marginalized portions of the community.
  • Pitch in with stories on other topics and perform other duties as necessary.
  • On occasion, work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, at times unexpectedly as news happens.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • A strong foundation in core writing and reporting skills and familiarity with public records.
  • Enthusiasm for deep research and artful storytelling.
  • Solid news judgment and a commitment to accuracy.
  • Top-notch planning, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Strong communication skills and habits with colleagues, sources, and the community.
  • Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
  • Understanding of metrics, social media, and SEO.
  • Self-motivation and self-direction.
  • Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
  • This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

  1. Your resume – one to two pages.
  2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
  3. Up to five samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

Other details

  • Job Family Media
  • Job Function Content Production
  • Pay Type Hourly
  • Required Education Equivalent Experience