Community Reporter

Date Posted	February 04, 2026
Industry	Newspapers, Newsletters, Nonprofit
Specialty	Not Specified
Remote / Telecommute	Hybrid
Job Status	Part-time
Salary	Up to $3,000/month, one-year contract

Description:

Organization: The Franklin-Granville County Beacon (A project of Beacon Media)

Location: Franklin & Granville Counties, North Carolina

About Us

The Franklin-Granville County Beacon is a first-of-its-kind news and civic information hub serving Franklin and Granville Counties in central North Carolina. The County Beacon fills gaps in local news and information by producing community-driven news and information that will serve as an essential part of the civic landscape in these counties. We prioritize the impact on local people—centering their voices and stories—and illuminate the levers of power that residents can pull to create the change they want to see.

We are a project of Beacon Media, a 501(c)3 nonprofit media organization dedicated to strengthening democracy by uplifting grassroots voices to shift the narrative about what is possible in North Carolina. By focusing on rural, working-class communities and Black and Latino audiences, we challenge the narrow frames that dominate traditional media. We are an organization that is not afraid of a challenge, and we are looking for the right person to help build a new model for local media that is inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the communities we serve. 

This is no ordinary reporter position. You’ll be focused not on a traditional model of media but one that works directly with communities and prioritizes reaching people with the information they need to make their lives better. The Franklin-Granville County Beacon is a pilot project conducted in partnership with Down Home North Carolina, a state-based organization that builds multiracial, working-class power in rural communities. 

If you want to work on an exciting new model for community-rooted media in a vital, changing area of North Carolina, this might be the job for you!  

Salary: This is a one-year, part-time contract position paying up to $3,000 per month, with the possibility for extension.

The Role

We are seeking a Community Reporter to lead on-the-ground reporting for the region’s first pro-democracy local news hub.

This is not a desk job. As a Community Reporter, you will engage in old-fashioned "shoe-leather" reporting—meeting people where they are to gather the news and information community members need to participate in civic life. You will tell stories that increase understanding, reveal truths, and build connections, helping neighbors make informed decisions and advocate for policies that improve their lives. The County Beacon is a digital newsletter and social media-first publication, so photography, video editing and social media skills are essential storytelling tools the ideal candidate will possess or be committed to learning. 

Key Responsibilities

• Community Listening & Engagement: Facilitate listening sessions and attend local events to gain a deep understanding of the issues, questions, and concerns of residents.
• Reporting: Cover important meetings, events and sports. Investigate and report on local issues, explicitly illuminating the "levers of power" and how local government works.
• Multimedia Storytelling: Produce compelling content in written and visual formats (photography, graphics, or video) that centers the voices of local people.
• Civic Education: Gather and synthesize information that empowers residents to advocate for themselves and their communities.
• Upholding Standards: Maintain high standards of journalistic ethics, truth, and accuracy in all reporting.

About You

We are looking for a candidate with a deep love of community, curiosity, and integrity. While traditional journalism experience is valued, we are equally interested in candidates with a passion for storytelling and a desire to learn.

Essential Qualifications:

• Commitment to Mission: A genuine love of community and a commitment to truth, accuracy, and democratic values.
• Communication: Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills. You must be able to build trust with diverse groups of people.
• Ethics: A solid understanding of journalistic ethics and practices (or a strong desire and willingness to learn them).

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Haves):

• Prior journalism experience (newspaper, radio, or digital).
• A background in community organizing, civic engagement, or coalition-building.
• A personal connection to or residence in Granville or Franklin County.
• Knowledge of or interest in how local government functions.
• Experience with photography, videography, and graphic design (or a desire to learn).
• Language Skills: The ability to communicate in Spanish is a significant plus.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to help develop a new model for local news and information that strengthens democracy and tests assumptions about the collection, delivery, and sustainability of local news and information. Beacon Media is not afraid to fight for democracy and the values that will make North Carolina a better, more fair place to live. Through our partnership with Down Home, we work at the intersection of community organizing and journalism, elevating trusted community voices and helping to build a better North Carolina for everyone.

How to Apply

Please fill out the linked Airtable form to apply. Applications received by Feb. 15, 2026 will receive priority consideration. 

Apply

https://airtable.com/appxzcJWjn97UPvvL/pagpVWCVIe16jdbVQ/form