Reporter (Citizens of Change)

The Great Central Gazette is an independent, not-for-profit newspaper in Leicester, written by and for local people. We are a co-operative, a model where members get to vote on how the business is run.

Since launching in March 2023, The Gazette has become a trusted source of high-quality journalism, covering politics, the environment, arts and culture, history, and more.

Our commitment to impactful journalism goes beyond just reporting the news. We take pride in our investigations and solutions-focused reporting, delving deep into issues that matter most to our community.

The role

We seek someone keen to pursue a local or investigative journalism career with an early track record to demonstrate this. Individuals will have a passion for public interest journalism and covering underreported local stories to the highest standards of quality and accuracy. They will be expected to build up local contacts and develop topic areas of expertise. These are early career journalism skills, and successful applicants will learn them quickly and efficiently on the job.

You will:

• Pitch and regularly publish thorough and original local journalism, particularly impactful journalism that holds power to account, engages readers and contributes to public debate.
• Subedit and proof articles before publication.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the editorial team on joint articles and reporting.
• Assist colleagues with journalism research.
• Contribute to the general strategic development and operational work of The Gazette.
• Help build a public, professional profile and represent The Gazette in community and industry forums.
• Utilise social media channels to share and promote articles, engage with the local audience, and stay updated on community feedback.
• Adhere to ethical journalism standards and maintain neutrality and fairness in reporting.

Hours of work

• Part-time, 5.5 hours per day for three days per week.

Work location

This internship follows a hybrid model, meaning you must work part on-site in Leicester and part remotely.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be a University of Leicester student (2nd year students only)
• Must be able to complete the internship within the agreed timescales.

The start date for this internship is the week commencing 17 June 2024. It ends on Friday, 12 July 2024. Due to the nature of the scheme, these dates are non-negotiable.

Application

As the Micro-internship Programme is run in partnership with the University of Leicester, the application process for this role differs from how we usually recruit for work experience and other internships.

• Click “apply now” to upload your CV and answer a few short questions about yourself and the role.
• As part of this, you will be directed to engage in a short series of pre-recorded video interview questions to complete your application.
• If shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in an assessment centre during the week commencing 29 April 2024.
• Don’t worry if you have limited prior experience – try to focus your CV and interview answers on your transferable skills, extra-curricular hobbies and academic activity.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 14 April 2024.