MLK50: Justice Through Journalism was again selected as a Report for America host newsroom for 2022, and we’re looking for an experienced reporter to add to our team.
The national service program announced today nearly 70 new host newsroom partners, while opening applications for about 150 new reporting corps positions. The new newsrooms, along with renewals, will expand the corps size to 325 in nearly 270 newsrooms across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands next year.
The expansion includes more media outlets in rural communities and two dozen Spanish-speaking positions. Nearly 40% of the beats will cover communities of color.
Currently, MLK50 has two RFA reporters, Jacob Steimer and Carrington J. Tatum. In October, Tatum’s reporting about Southwest Memphis residents’ fight against the Byhalia Connection Pipeline earned MLK50 a Breaking Barriers Award from the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Now MLK50 is looking for a senior reporter to join the newsroom as its government accountability reporter. The candidate should have five to seven years daily reporting experience, be able to interpret public records and data sets and tell daily, enterprise and investigative stories. Candidates will also need to fill out a RFA application.
Report for America, which is an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, is a two-year program (with an option for three years) that delivers a wide-range of benefits to its corps members.
Beyond paying up to half of the journalists’ salaries, it provides ongoing training and mentorship by leading journalists, peer networking and memberships to select professional organizations.
RFA applications are being accepted until Jan. 31; however, those who apply before Dec. 31 will receive early consideration. Corps members will be selected from a highly competitive group of applicants. Last year, more than 1,800 applications were received. Those hired become employees of their respective newsrooms and will begin their employment June 1, 2022.
Click the button below to start your application.
This story is brought to you by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom focused on poverty, power and policy in Memphis. Support independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today. MLK50 is also supported by these generous donors.