Freelance Reporter (General Assignment – Military & Defense)

Sightline Media Group; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sightline Media Group is seeking a versatile journalist to cover defense, military, and veteran affairs. You will pitch and produce stories across breaking news, policy developments, and features, with opportunities to appear on camera and host panels.

Ideal candidates have newsroom reporting experience, strong storytelling, and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines, collaborating with editors and producers to deliver timely, accurate coverage.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a reporter covering military, defense, policy, or government beats.
• Strong news judgment and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work independently, pitch ideas, and meet deadlines.
• Strong research and interview skills.

Responsibilities

• Report and write compelling stories on defense and military topics.
• Collaborate with editors to identify timely assignments.
• Conduct interviews with military leaders, service members, defense experts, policymakers.
• Work under tight deadlines and fast-changing news cycles.
• Potentially moderate panel discussions or live events, in-person or virtual.

Skills

Reporter experience

News judgment

Storytelling

Interview skills

Research skills

Independent working

Panel moderation

Job description

Sightline Media Group is the premier source for news and analysis covering military and government communities. Through flagship publications like Defense News, Military Times, and Federal Times, we provide trusted, authoritative reporting for service members, defense leaders, veterans, and policy influencers.

About the Role:

This role is perfect for an adaptable, talented journalist who can jump into a range of topics across the defense, military, and veteran affairs landscape. From breaking news and policy developments to human interest features and technology coverage, this reporter will be called upon to pitch and produce stories as needed by the editorial staff. Select candidates will also have the opportunity to represent our publications on camera and moderate live or virtual panel discussions.

Responsibilities:

• Report and write compelling stories on a wide variety of defense and military-related topics.
• Collaborate with editors to identify timely and relevant assignments.
• Conduct interviews with military leaders, service members, defense experts, and policymakers.
• Work on tight deadlines and adapt to fast-changing news cycles.
• The right candidate may also help moderate panel discussions or live events, both in-person and virtually.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a reporter, ideally with coverage of military, defense, policy, or government beats.
• Strong news judgment and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work independently, pitch ideas, and meet deadlines.
• Strong research and interview skills.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a reporter, ideally with coverage of military, defense, policy, or government beats.
• Strong news judgment and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work independently, pitch ideas, and meet deadlines.
• Strong research and interview skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the U.S. military, defense contractors, and the Pentagon.
• Experience working with editors and producers in a newsroom or digital environment.
• Comfortable appearing on camera for interviews or short news hits.
• Experience moderating live events, panels, or webinars.