Reporter Fellow, Local Investigations

As a Reporter Fellow in Local Investigations at The New York Times, your primary responsibilities will include producing impactful investigative work that highlights underreported issues within your community. You'll work under the mentorship of Dean Baquet and veteran editors, enhancing your skills in investigative journalism and ensuring that your stories resonate with your audience. You’ll also participate in training sessions at The Times’s offices to further develop your reporting techniques.

To qualify for the Reporter Fellow position in Local Investigations at The New York Times, candidates should have 3 to 5 years of professional reporting experience, ideally covering a specific beat for a local newspaper or digital news outlet. A commitment to journalistic independence and a proven ability to pursue original story ideas are also essential. Additionally, candidates need to attach a cover letter that includes a pitch or story idea as part of the application process.

Candidates interested in applying for the Reporter Fellow position in Local Investigations at The New York Times should prepare a résumé, a thoughtful cover letter, and five published clips demonstrating their reporting expertise. The cover letter must include your story idea or pitch laid out clearly. Be sure to keep your application materials concise and follow all submission guidelines accurately to avoid disqualification.

As a Reporter Fellow in Local Investigations at The New York Times, you will benefit from direct mentorship and editorial support from Dean Baquet and a seasoned editorial team. This fellowship provides not only an opportunity to produce significant investigative work but also training sessions designed to enhance your skills. You’ll have access to resources and guidance that cover everything from story development to effective research practices.

The Reporter Fellow program in Local Investigations at The New York Times lasts for one year. During this time, you’ll be dedicated to producing quality investigative journalism that will be published by The Times, while also growing your craft through mentorship and professional development opportunities. This fellowship is ideal for reporters looking to elevate their investigative skills and contribute meaningfully to important local stories.

When answering this question, choose a specific story that showcases your investigative skills. Explain the steps you took in researching and gathering information, the challenges you faced, and how your findings brought important issues to light. Emphasizing your methodologies will demonstrate both your experience and your dedication to journalistic integrity.

Discuss your strategies for source development, emphasizing relationship-building and trust. Share specific examples of how you identified key individuals, fostered connections, and maintained those relationships to derive valuable insights for your reporting. Focus on ethical practices and ensuring confidentiality when necessary.

In your response, articulate the significance of journalistic independence as it relates to credibility and the trust of the audience. Explain how maintaining objectivity impacts your work and the role it plays in uncovering the truth. Provide examples from your own experiences that highlight your commitment to these principles.

Highlight a combination of techniques you use when interviewing, such as preparing open-ended questions, building rapport, and being a good listener. Provide examples of how these techniques have helped you elicit valuable information from interview subjects. Convey the importance of adaptability and sensitivity when handling various interview situations.

Your answer should reflect resilience and professionalism in the face of criticism. Discuss how you approach feedback, whether positive or negative, and how you maintain ethical reporting standards while addressing potential disputes. This demonstrates your commitment to integrity and thoroughness as a journalist.

Explain your systematic approach to fact-checking and verifying sources. Discuss tools or resources you use to cross-reference information and the importance of maintaining meticulous records throughout your investigative process. This signals your dedication to truthful reporting.

Discuss your process for evaluating story ideas based on newsworthiness, community impact, and investigative potential. Explain how you balance your interests with the needs of your audience, potentially highlighting a story selection that had significant relevance in your locality.

Share your approach to collaboration with editors and how their feedback contributes to the final product. Discuss a specific instance where you skillfully applied editorial suggestions to enhance your story, conveying your openness to constructive criticism and teamwork.

Use this opportunity to illustrate your problem-solving skills. Describe a challenge you faced during an investigation and the innovative strategies you implemented to address it. Highlight resilience and adaptability, critical traits in the field of journalism.

Articulate the vital role investigative journalism plays in promoting transparency, accountability, and social justice. Discuss current events or issues where investigative journalism has made a significant impact, reinforcing your passion for this specialty within the field.