Breaking News & Watchdog Reporter (Digital-First)

McClatchy Media; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

McClatchy Media is seeking a breaking news and watchdog reporter to own urgent coverage of public safety stories, from gun violence to fires and accidents. You’ll publish quickly online and on the ground, capture photos and video, and engage readers across platforms.

Expect open-records work, long-term accountability pieces, and a newsroom that values speed, accuracy, and source-building in a fast-changing digital landscape.

Qualifications

• Delivers urgent, accurate coverage and follows up with accountability reporting.
• Masters multimedia storytelling and audience engagement tactics.
• Uses data, analytics and SEO to inform coverage and reach more readers.
• Embraces AI and automation to focus on source-building and impactful journalism.
• Works collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving digital environment.

Responsibilities

• Publish breaking news online and on the ground with speed and accuracy.
• Capture photo and video to accompany stories across platforms.
• Engage audiences and grow readership through compelling storytelling.
• Build a robust network of sources for watchdog reporting and accountability pieces.
• Conduct open records work and long-form investigations as appropriate.

Skills

Breaking news

Accountability reporting

Multimedia storytelling

Audience engagement

Data analytics

SEO

AI and automation

Team collaboration

Tools

Photo/video capture

Job description

McClatchy Media is seeking a breaking news and watchdog reporter to own urgent coverage of public safety stories, from gun violence to fires and accidents. You’ll publish quickly online and on the ground, capture photos and video, and engage readers across platforms.

Expect open-records work, long-term accountability pieces, and a newsroom that values speed, accuracy, and source-building in a fast-changing digital landscape.