Crime and Courts Reporter

Newsweek is seeking a full-time Crime and Courts Reporter to join our London team.

The ideal candidate will be able to reach Newsweek’s broad U.S. readership through a skillful approach to writing engaging stories. They will tap into the zeitgeist of the American public to produce content that reflects their concerns and interests around crime, judiciary, politics, and policy. They will leverage current affairs and news topics to connect with readers. They will link crime and prominent court cases to broader national socioeconomic and political issues. They will be considerate of ethical and journalistic best practices in reporting on crime and court matters.

The ideal candidate will have detailed knowledge of U.S. criminal law and procedure, the U.S. justice system, law enforcement practices, crime trends and statistics, major criminal cases, criminal justice policies, and the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Familiarity with constitutional rights and civil liberties, investigative skills, the ability to analyze legal documents and court records, and a keen eye for accuracy and detail are also highly valued for this role.

The Crime and Courts Reporter will have a strong understanding of digital journalism and the needs of a fast-paced newsroom. They will be adept at monitoring social media, Google Trends and other news-gathering tools to find and identify stories and topics of interest to a U.S. audience.

Topics expected to be covered include, but are not limited to: Supreme Court decisions and their impact on criminal law; Major criminal trials and court proceedings; Analysis of crime statistics and trends; Homicides and violent crimes; Missing persons and cold cases; Gun violence and gun control measures; Drug crime and the opioid epidemic; Drug policy and the decriminalization/legalization debate; White-collar crime and corporate fraud; Cybercrime and digital security breaches; Police misconduct and excessive use of force; Criminal justice reform efforts and legislation; Gang-related and organized crime; Human trafficking and exploitation; Child abuse and juvenile justice issues; Hate crime; Police-community relations; Criminal sentencing and parole hearings; Prison conditions and inmate rights; Crime prevention programs and initiatives.

The Crime and Courts Reporter will be responsible for ensuring Newsweek delivers high-quality reporting that is accurate, fair, and conforms to accepted standards of journalism.

Working hours: 9 hour shift; 8 hours of work + 1 hour break, between the hours of 6am-6pm depending on the needs of the company. This is a full-time role, working 5 days a week and some weekend shifts on a rotational basis depending on the needs of the company.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research, source, pitch, and write several stories each day, including original features and interviews.
• Scour social media and other news gathering tools to find stories and emerging trends.
• Check facts and sources and ensure content is of the highest possible standard.
• Work with editors to ensure your work meets house style.
• Ensure Newsweek delivers high-quality reporting that is accurate, fair, and conforms to accepted standards of journalism.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as necessary to meet the needs of the business.

Qualifications:

• Several years of experience in a reporting role for a reputable organization.
• Organization and planning skills.
• SEO and online journalism skills.
• Familiarity covering U.S. news and trends.
• Familiarity with using social media, Google Trends and other news discovery tools to find stories.
• Capable of working to tight deadlines.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.