Posted On: June 2, 2022

Journalism Job

Media Organization:Gulf States Newsroom

Company Description

The Gulf States Newsroom is an exciting partnership between public radio stations in Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting), Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF), Alabama (WBHM) and NPR. We’re working together as a regional newsroom to plan coverage, share resources and add reporting power on air and online in a story-rich region where too many local news outlets have disappeared. It’s part of NPR’s collaborative journalism network, an initiative designed to better connect NPR with local member stations to represent what’s happening around the United States.

ABOUT THE ROLE: This reporter will be based in Jackson, Mississippi, employed by MPB and will report to the managing editor of the Gulf States Newsroom. This reporter will join a team of award-winning regional reporters and editors who cover health care, wealth and poverty and race and equity. They will pitch in on local coverage of their beat for MPB and will have the opportunity to file for NPR often. A spirit of collaboration is key! This is year-long contract position. A longer term may be possible if funding is available.

In addition to the case and the broad national debate over abortion rights, this reporter will have the opportunity to cover many other stories about reproductive, maternal and infant health in the South. This position will also have a focus on community engagement. We hope to experiment with ways to do outreach and distribute stories to those most affected.

The Gulf States Newsroom is dedicated to training and strengthening reporting power, so if you are passionate about telling these stories, but don’t check all of the boxes we’ve outlined here – please apply! Tell us about the skills that make you uniquely qualified for this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Pitch, plan, report and produce audio and digital feature stories to air/publish locally, regionally and often nationally.
Develop a robust network of sources that reflect the diversity of the region.
Report local and regional news spots as assigned by the Gulf States Newsroom editors.
Collaborate with editors and show staff at local stations to shape on-air two-way discussions.
Work with editors to organize community engagement events and outreach.
Take photos for digital stories.
Use social media to share work and develop contacts.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Description

The Supreme Court’s decision on abortion rights is one of the most highly anticipated rulings in decades. Hanging in the balance is not only Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy but the future of access to reproductive rights nationwide. The Gulf States Newsroom recognizes the importance of covering this story and the unique opportunity we have as a team based in the region. We’re hiring a reporter position, based in Jackson, Mississippi, to cover the abortion case and its ripple effects from the state at the heart of this monumental case.

This reporter will be based in Jackson, Mississippi, employed by MPB and will report to the managing editor of the Gulf States Newsroom. This reporter will join a team of award-winning regional reporters and editors who cover health care, wealth and poverty and race and equity. They will pitch in on local coverage of their beat for MPB and will have the opportunity to file for NPR often. A spirit of collaboration is key! This is year-long contract position. A longer term may be possible if funding is available.

In addition to the case and the broad national debate over abortion rights, this reporter will have the opportunity to cover many other stories about reproductive, maternal and infant health in the South. This position will also have a focus on community engagement. We hope to experiment with ways to do outreach and distribute stories to those most affected.

The Gulf States Newsroom is dedicated to training and strengthening reporting power, so if you are passionate about telling these stories, but don’t check all of the boxes we’ve outlined here – please apply! Tell us about the skills that make you uniquely qualified for this position.

To Apply

Read more about the job here: https://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/careers/reproductive-health-reporter/

Submit your application here: https://form.asana.com/?k=kpYIi_f8F-xo8xIgMPpBUA&d=4298586462900