Trending News Fellow

Description:

Are you an aspiring journalist or writer who is passionate about Texas news and culture? Do you have brain worms from being too online? Are you a little concerned, frankly, about the state of the world? Want to do something about it? The Barbed Wire is a progressive, diverse, digital outlet that’s obsessed with all things Texas, and we’re looking for a dynamic Trending News Fellow to join our very small — but very mighty — editorial team. Learn from veteran journalists who’ve worked all over the country in print, broadcast, and digital media. Our reporters, writers, and editors have worked locally and in national news, from Texas Monthly and the Waco Tribune-Herald to the Washington Post and The Daily Beast. 

This four-month fellowship (with a flexible end date) offers hands-on experience in fast-paced digital journalism, and we’re not going to ask you to brew us coffee or make you cry at your desk. (We’re cycle-breakers over here.) We believe in equity and inclusion and in serving voices that are underrepresented in Texas across all intersections, including gender, ideology, race, ethnicity, and identity. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. 

We want to shake up Texas’ status quo with brash, good-faith, unapologetic journalism, with an eye towards readers who might otherwise avoid the news. We believe in mischief, joke-making, and the importance of the fourth estate. The truth, even when it isn’t convenient. Acknowledging our viewpoint instead of pretending not to have one. 

And we need your help to poke a stick in the eyes of the powerful (metaphorically!!!). 

Applications for our fellowship are open through Jan. 15. 

Responsibilities:

• Write daily 300-500 word stories on trending and newsworthy topics with voice, verve, and good humor.

• Deliver clean, accurate, and engaging content on tight deadlines. If you can’t report & write quickly, this isn’t for you.

• Follow AP and in-house style guides and maintain journalistic integrity.

• Opportunity to pitch and write longer-form stories.

Details:

• Schedule: 20 hours/week, ideally mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., four days a week.

• Location: Remote (candidates must reside in Texas)

• Compensation: $20/hr

Qualifications:

• Highly organized and efficient.

• Intellectually curious and driven, with a keen eye for detail. 

• Active on and interested in social media. There’s no requirement for followers, but an ideal candidate must be an avid reader who is familiar with online journalism. What news sites do you read? Are you active on Instagram, X, or Blue Sky?

• Ideal applicant is someone who has a strong interest in journalism and storytelling and is looking to find out if the industry is a fit for them. Preferred candidates will be newly graduated, in graduate school, or at the end of their undergraduate degrees.

• Proven ability to write clean, compelling copy quickly. We’re looking for a strong writer who can take assignments and work fast (with a witty, unapologetic flare). 

• Passion for covering Texas news, politics, and culture. 

• Journalism experience preferred but not required. If you’ve only written Bridgerton spec scripts, this probably isn’t the gig for you (but good luck with that; we’re sure it’s very good).

Join our mission to inform and engage Texans! To apply, please send your resume, a brief cover letter (make your voice shine in under 500 words), and two writing samples to [email protected] with the subject line “TRENDING NEWS FELLOW” by Jan. 15.