Northwest Louisiana reporter

Description:

Northwest Louisiana reporter

The Center Square is seeking a highly motivated reporter to lead our taxpayer-focused coverage of government and other issues in northwest Louisiana. We're looking for a passionate journalist who has government reporting experience, and a strong interest and understanding of politics and public policy. The Center Square covers government from a taxpayers’ perspective, not from government’s perspective. We hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions, and inform our readers how those decisions affect them.

The media industry in the U.S. is shrinking, leaving fewer options for readers to digest the decisions made by their state and local government officials. The Center Square seeks to fill this journalistic void in northwest Louisiana, with a particular focus on the Shreveport, Bossier City and Caddo and Bossier Parish region.

This key role will be joining other state and local news operations as we expand our impact in the states. It reports to The Center Square’s Southeast Regional Editor.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Report on local and regional government activity, monitor legislative and policy developments that affect the region, and use public records and databases to ferret out waste, fraud and abuse.

• Supplement print reporting with video; be willing to shoot and edit video, and discuss your reporting in front of a camera

• Promote The Center Square stories to local and regional media partners in the states.

• Cultivate trusted sources to provide leads on potential stories, including those inside and outside government, think tanks, academia, and the business community.

• Monitor the media landscape to identify popular topics and potential media partners.

EXPECTATIONS:

• Have excellent writing and research abilities, and adhere to Associated Press style.

• Take direction well, and be willing to learn from The Center Square's experienced editors and other journalists.

• Live in the region you are assigned. Meet sources both inside and outside of government.

• Look beyond government-issued press releases and reports to determine the real impact of policy on taxpayers and job creators.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related field is preferred but not required, and at least two years of government reporting experience.

To apply, please send resume and writing samples to Dan McCaleb, executive editor, via email: jobs@franklinnews.org.