CNN News Associate Program - Atlanta

WarnerMedia; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The CNN News Associate program at Warner Bros. Discovery is a hands-on rotational role designed for early career journalists. Based in Atlanta for 12 months, you’ll rotate across CNN’s assignment desks, building editorial and production skills for daily newsgathering.

Participants gain networking and coaching with top professionals; ideal for those pursuing producing, writing, reporting, or assignment desk work, with office or hybrid schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, political science, or related studies, grads by Jan 2027 and within 2 years.
• Internship or newsroom experience preferred.
• Strong communication and curiosity for current events and industry trends.
• Ability to work under deadline pressure and in a team in person or hybrid.
• Able to work in fast-paced, newsgathering and production environment.
• Be agile, flexible, and able to work with multiple teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and a creative mindset.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Suite including Outlook.
• Bi-lingual skills highly valued.
• Writing skills must meet basic proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Research, log, and write stories with editorial leads.
• Monitor sources for newsgathering across networks, social media, and local news.
• Record video and upload images, documenting details for producers.
• Research and fact-check news scripts and digital stories.
• Assist producers and correspondents in story production in the bureau and in the field.
• Identify and pitch diverse voices in storytelling and in newsgathering.

Skills

Stellar communication

Curiosity about current events

Deadline-driven

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Creative mindset

Microsoft Outlook

Bi-lingual

Writing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role…

The CNN News Associate program is designed as a hands-on rotational position to allow early career journalists to gain exposure and develop their journalistic skills.

Participants will be based in Atlanta for the 12 months of the program. You will be working with some of the best in the industry and will play a vital role supporting CNN Worldwide. This program will also provide access to networking and coaching with the best & brightest throughout the year. This a unique experience that will jump start your career in journalism. Ideal candidates will be those looking at careers in journalism such as producing, content creation, writing, reporting, or working on an assignment desk.

You will rotate in 3-4 rotational assignments across teams at CNN’s Atlanta Headquarters that are closely associated with daily newsgathering. You will have the amazing opportunity to build editorial and production skills working with CNN’s assignment desks, chasing stories, calling sources, recording and logging video. You assist with research for CNN Digital or embed with talented reporters and producers in the southeast bureau. CNN is an organization that is 24/7, candidates will work in the office or hybrid, and can work various schedules including overnights, weekends, and holidays.

This cohort will be starting in January 2027.

Candidates will be expected to be in Atlanta and ready to start fulltime hours by then. Relocation stipends are not provided.

Your Role Accountabilities…

• Work with editorial leads on researching, logging, and writing stories.
• Monitor a variety of sources, including other networks, social media, and local news to assist in newsgathering efforts.
• Record video and upload images, document the who, why, what, and where for producers to access around the world.
• Research and fact check news scripts and digital stories.
• Assist producers and correspondents in story production in the bureau and the field.
• Identifying and pitching diverse voices in storytelling and in newsgathering.

Qualifications & Experience…

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, political science, or related studies with on the job experience. Candidates must be graduated by January 2027 and within 2 years post graduation.
• An internship in a news environment or previous newsroom experience is preferred.
• Stellar communication skills and a strong curiosity for current events and industry trends is a must.
• Ability to successfully work under deadline pressure and in a team effectively in person or hybrid.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, newsgathering, and production environment
• Be agile, flexible, and able to work with multiple teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and a creative mindset.
• Strong knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including Outlook.
• Bi-lingual skills are highly valued.
• Writing skills must meet a basic proficiency level.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.