Courts & Justice Reporter: Investigative Journalist in MS

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary starting at $60,000

29 days paid time off per year

Up to 12 weeks parental leave

Simple IRA with 3 percent company-mint

Group-term life insurance ($15,000)

Professional training and conferences

Job summary

Mississippi Today, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, seeks a Courts and Justice Reporter to expand coverage of the state judicial system. The role emphasizes in-depth, accountability-driven reporting on how court decisions affect communities, with collaboration across the newsroom.

The reporter will cover state and federal courts, conduct in-depth interviews, file public records requests, and analyze data to tell impactful stories.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a reporter in a newsroom, preferably at least four years, with some experience in accountability journalism.
• Proficiency in public records requests.
• Proficiency in backgrounding people, conducting sensitive interviews, and maintaining ethical standards.
• Proficiency with PACER and databases and the ability to use OSINT tools.
• Experience writing both shortform and longform stories.
• Ability to work quickly, with accuracy and good news judgment under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in multimedia journalism.
• Ability to use social media for research and to engage readers.

Responsibilities

• Advanced reporting experience focused on uncovering systemic issues within the judicial system and other institutions.
• Commitment to the mission of balanced, impactful journalism that centers and respects the voice of the community.
• Ability to connect with people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work within a team-oriented newsroom.

Skills

Public records requests

Backgrounding interviews

Multimedia journalism

Social media research

Shortform writing

Longform writing

OSINT tools

PACER

Tools

PACER

Public records databases

OSINT tools

Job description

Mississippi Today, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, seeks a Courts and Justice Reporter to expand coverage of the state judicial system. The role emphasizes in-depth, accountability-driven reporting on how court decisions affect communities, with collaboration across the newsroom.

The reporter will cover state and federal courts, conduct in-depth interviews, file public records requests, and analyze data to tell impactful stories.