Freelance Breaking News Reporter

Freelance Breaking News Reporter, Washington D.C.

📍Washington, D.C. | 💼 Freelance/Contract |💰 $35-40/hour, 20 hours a week/per-assignment

About the Role COURIER is seeking an independent journalist to provide on-the-ground, real-time reporting on what is happening at the nation’s Capitol. Assignments may include congressional hearings, press conferences, protests, and other events of national interest. with deliverables provided to COURIER’s social team on agreed-upon turnaround times. In addition to scheduled assignments, COURIER may offer short-notice breaking news assignments.

The contractor may also collaborate with COURIER’s National Correspondent on long-form content projects and in-depth interviews with prominent individuals. 

This is an independent contractor engagement. 

Scope of Work

• Capitol Hill coverage on an assignment basis, including reporting on members of Congress in hallways, at press gaggles, and at hearings
• Short notice breaking news coverage and quickly gathering on-camera and on-record reactions from lawmakers and staff
• Shoot short-form video interviews and B-roll captured on contractor-supplied equipment for social and national products
• Quickly identify the newsworthiness of an event including why it matters to Courier’s audience—not just what happened, but the consequence
• Deliver fast, clean deliverables for each assignment: organized footage, accurate quotes, and brief notes on context and newsworthiness
• Correspondent on joint shoots and larger reporting projects, including second-camera work, as agreed per assignment
• Leverage the contractor’s own relationships with press staffers, congressional aides, and other Hill sources

Deliverables

• 5–7 short-form solo videos
• 1–2 “Hill days” with the National Correspondent, reporting jointly on agreed assignments for a few hours each

What We're Looking For

• 1–2 years of reporting experience contracting or working in a newsroom environment
• Comfort approaching lawmakers and asking direct questions under time pressure
• Basic video skills: framing, audio, and shooting usable interviews on a smartphone or mirrorless camera
• A strong grasp of how Congress works and who the key players are
• Reliability, speed, and accuracy: a track record of meeting deadlines and delivering accurate  quotes 
• Based in or near Washington, DC, with the ability to accept short-notice / breaking news assignments
• Familiarity with Courier’s focus on accountability journalism, democratic institutions, and serving communities typically underrepresented in legacy media coverage
• Ability to adjust coverage when story angles shift or breaking news supersedes planned coverage
• Own reporting equipment (smartphone or camera, audio gear)

Nice to Have

• Experience with basic video editing (Premiere, CapCut, or similar)
• An existing network of Hill press staffers
• Familiarity with short-form platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts

Contractor is an independent contractor. Nothing shall be construed as creating an employment relationship. Contractor shall supply Contractor’s own equipment and materials and will perform services at times and places of Contractor’s choosing (subject to any schedule or other delivery requirements). Contractor will determine the manner and means by which the services are performed and will deliver completed work in accordance with mutually agreed-upon deadlines and quality standards.