Contributor
About The Position
LINK Media is seeking freelance contributors for LINK nky and Cincinnati CityBeat. This is a standing relationship with the newsroom, allowing for flexible scheduling. LINK nky covers civic and government affairs in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties, focusing on local meetings and public service. Cincinnati CityBeat covers the region's arts and culture scene, including music, theater, visual art, film, food, and nightlife. Contributors are expected to manage assigned stories, pitch new ideas, publish digital and multimedia reports, maintain journalistic integrity, keep detailed notes, collaborate with editors, and meet deadlines. They must also disclose any conflicts of interest. The role requires experience or education in news reporting, strong writing and speaking skills, multimedia knowledge, comfort in social/government/political settings, and reliable transportation. Contributors will be paid per story on a 1099 basis, with bi-weekly payments for published work. Editorial support, flexibility, and the right to use their byline and clips are provided. AI usage is restricted to transcription, note organization, and self-checking, not for writing, reporting, or generating content.
Requirements
- Experience or education as a news reporter
- Strong writing and speaking skills
- Multimedia knowledge (websites, photo, audio, video editing)
- Comfortable in social, government, and political settings
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to work quickly, accept flexibility, and understand the mission is bigger than any one person
- Ability to read an agenda packet before a meeting and identify important items (for Civic & Government track)
- Comfortable approaching elected officials in hallways (for Civic & Government track)
- Ability to file clean copy on deadline the same night or the next morning (for Civic & Government track)
- Understanding that a zoning variance can be a significant story (for Civic & Government track)
- Knowing the difference between what was voted on and what was said (for Civic & Government track)
- Having a real beat within the arts and culture scene (for Arts & Culture track)
- Ability to turn around a preview quickly when a tour date drops (for Arts & Culture track)
- Knowing the difference between a profile and a favor (for Arts & Culture track)
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of the NKY municipal landscape (for Civic & Government track)
- Ability to read a budget document (for Civic & Government track)
- Experience filing an open records request under KRS 61.870 (for Civic & Government track)
- Shooting own photos (for Arts & Culture track)
- Working relationship with local venues and galleries (for Arts & Culture track)
- Covering a corner of the scene that Cincinnati media routinely ignores (for Arts & Culture track)
Responsibilities
- Manage assigned stories
- Pitch additional stories in areas of interest
- Publish digital and multimedia reports and creative stories
- Accept assignments and follow up on news tips
- Maintain notes and audio recordings from stories and sources for review when necessary
- Work in collaboration with the community editor and executive editor
- Hit deadlines, or communicate early if unable to meet them
- Disclose conflicts of interest before filing
Benefits
- Per-story rates
- Bi-weekly pay for stories published
- Editorial support and management to help you grow as a writer
- Flexibility — write for us without having to keep full-time hours
- Your byline, and your clips are yours to use
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
