News reporter or Opinion writer for Inclusive Journalism Program (PT REMOTE)

Date Posted	April 19, 2024
Industry	Magazines / Publishing
Specialty	Religion
Job Status	Temporary

Description:

Journalists help articulate the truth about the kind of world we live in and the kind of world we want to see. Yet journalism has been closely intertwined with this nation’s history of race, religion, and democracy; the people reporting the news and the people whose viewpoints the news amplifies do not often reflect the full and diverse promise of the world we inhabit or envision. To help address this critical gap, Sojourners has created the Sojourners Journalism Cohort. 

This program provides AAPI, Black, Indigenous, Latine, and/or persons of color training and mentorship as they build experience as freelance writers. This project will uplift the perspectives of under-represented communities by offering young writers and journalists mentorship and writing opportunities. Participants will concentrate on either news reporting or opinion writing, with an emphasis on religion and social justice. 

With our part-time, remote model, you will have flexibility to write on your own time while also attending pre-scheduled video-based training and mentorship meetings. As a freelance writer for our publication, you will write at least five published articles and receive a stipend of $2,000.

Application deadline: May 13, 2024 
Program dates: Aug to Dec 2024 

About Sojourners 

Sojourners is an independent, award-winning print and online magazine of faith, culture, and politics. Our mission is to inspire hope and action by articulating the biblical call to racial and social justice, life and peace, and environmental stewardship. 

Positions available 

All positions are freelance, remote, and require no travel time or expense. The positions available are: 

• News reporter (3 positions) 

• Opinion writer (3 positions) 

Cohort members focused on news reporting will work with associate news editor Mitchell Atencio to report on news stories about and affecting faith communities and social justice movements. Participants will receive guidance on interview strategies, pitching and research, news writing, and journalism ethics. People who might be ideally suited for the news reporting cohort could include students in journalism school, recent graduates of journalism programs, people with other writing backgrounds interested in transitioning to news reporting, and early-career journalists wishing to broaden their writing on faith and justice. 

Participants focused on opinion and commentary writing will work with associate opinion editor Josiah R. Daniels to write insightful commentaries on contemporary topics and news. Training for opinion columnists will include developing a writing voice, building an argument, and writing compelling pitches. People who might be ideally suited for the opinion writing program include students with a religion major; justice advocates and organizers; or those who work in church or other ministry contexts who are looking to gain experience writing for a general audience.    

Benefits and Compensation 

• Monthly video-based training (5 sessions) 

• Mentorship with experienced editors 

• $2,000 stipend 

Additional information  

To learn more about the program and apply, visit: Sojourners Journalism Cohort