Digital Reporter

SWNS Media Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent news agency based in Bristol is looking for a journalist to cover both national and international news stories. Candidates should possess strong journalism skills, experience with social media, and a proactive approach to sourcing stories. The role includes creating various news content and offers opportunities for hybrid working once settled in. Please apply with your CV and a cover letter to [e-mail] detailing your fit for the role.

Benefits

Company pension scheme with employer contribution

Enhanced maternity and paternity packages

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Company events

Carbon offsetting app

Birthday leave

Qualifications

• Comfort with phone interviews and reporting from the field.
• At least two years of experience for senior roles.
• Proven experience using social media to source stories.

Responsibilities

• Find, research, and write national and international news stories.
• Create stories from various sources including social media.
• Cover news and human-interest content.

Skills

Experience sourcing and writing original news stories

Social media proficiency

Maturity and respect in interviews

Organisational skills

Team player mentality

Education

Degree in journalism or related field

NCTJ qualification

Job description

Overview

SWNS City Of Bristol, United Kingdom

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Deadline – September 12 – but we will start interviewing before deadline, so early applicants at an advantage.

SWNS is the UK’s biggest independent news agency. Our clients include Reach, DMGT, News UK, LADbible, Independent, Times Online, Mail Online, BBC, ITN, The Times, Yahoo!, USAToday, and more. We cover breaking news, human interest, health and scientific breakthroughs, and provide websites with imagery and viral videos. We are expanding into new formats and markets, making this an exciting time to join SWNS.

The role

We are looking for a journalist to start ASAP, working with our digital team to cover, source and create content for major publishers. We welcome applications from reporters starting their careers to experienced writers seeking a new challenge.

You will be based at our HQ in Bristol, finding, researching, and writing national and international digital news and feature stories under the guidance of experienced editors. The role involves creating stories from scratch from various sources including social media and responding to national stories breaking in local press. You will cover news, viral videos, and real-life human-interest content. Interviews are mostly over the phone, but you should be comfortable reporting from the patch when needed.

Successful candidates will live and work in or near Bristol with flexible hybrid working once settled into the role.

Qualifications and experience

• Journalism degree or equivalent experience is welcome; experience sourcing and writing original news stories from scratch is essential.
• Senior reporters should have at least two years of experience writing for a mainstream publication or major agency.
• Social media skills are a must, with proven ability to source stories from platforms.
• Strong maturity, respect, and phone manner when speaking with people about challenging situations.
• Self-motivation, flexibility, and excellent organisational skills; able to juggle multiple stories daily.
• Experience reporting on human-interest content and a willingness to cover politics, science, tech, and consumer trends through a real-person lens.

Key expectations

• Inquisitive mindset and interest in people from diverse backgrounds.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate across levels.
• Commitment to SWNS values and a strong work ethic.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Company events
• Furthr - carbon offsetting app
• Birthday leave

Apply

Please apply with a covering letter explaining how you fit the criteria and why you want to work at SWNS, along with a CV, to [e-mail] with the email title “DIGITAL REPORTER”. Reference the ‘digital reporter’ role in the subject line.

Equal opportunity

SWNS is a national living wage employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. We acknowledge industry diversity gaps and are committed to improving representation.