Write for us
The Jersey Vindicator is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization founded in response to ongoing downsizing among traditional news outlets in the Garden State. We produce Statehouse and political reporting, investigations, explanatory journalism, solutions stories, features, and high-quality photojournalism in service to our communities. We are always looking for freelance reporters who live in the Garden State to do original reporting on issues that impact New Jersey residents’ lives.
We value:
Respect:
All people have life experiences, opinions, and voices that are important in a democratic society.
Independence:
We are nonpartisan and maintain full editorial control of our work.
Critical thinking:
We value reporting that analyzes the facts and context of claims, as well as potential solutions.
On the ground:
Journalists must seek to understand how policies and systems affect people in order to produce journalism that empowers them.
Collaboration:
We serve our communities more effectively when we collaborate with other organizations.
If all this sounds good to you and you want to become a writer for The Jersey Vindicator, start by reading some of our stories, then pitch an idea to us. We typically ask a few go-to questions about any potential Vindicator story, so we’ve outlined them here to help you decide if your idea is a good fit. We’ve also included some frequently asked questions you might have for us.
If you go through the list and still think your story is right for The Jersey Vindicator, please send your pitch by email to editor@jerseyvindicator.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Is it a story?
Every reporter eventually gets this note from an editor: That’s a topic, not a story. But the distinction can be murky. One way to think about it: A story takes a topic and applies a noteworthy action or dynamic.
Say you want to pursue a story about a climate policy. The topic would be: Here’s the policy and what it does. The story would be: Here’s the policy, what it does, and here’s the behind-the-scenes process of influence by which the policy came to be. Or here’s a major flaw that, oops, no one considered. Or here’s a specific instance—or a whole system’s worth of instances—of an unexpected effect the policy had. And, in all cases: Here’s why it matters.
If you aren’t quite sure that your topic is a story, but suspect it’s noteworthy, send us a pitch anyway. If it has promise and we have the bandwidth, we’ll work with you to develop it.
Is it investigative?
Your pitch shouldn’t read like a press release. Jersey Vindicator stories rely on original reporting from firsthand sources and seek to uncover something new—usually something someone in power doesn’t want publicized.
Maybe that means talking to a bunch of people affected by a policy or system—for example, people trying to find affordable housing in New Jersey—and finding a pattern that reveals what it’s really like. Maybe it means obtaining leaked documents or filing OPRA requests to expose government communications that officials would rather keep private. Maybe it means connecting campaign donations and lobbying efforts to government contracts and legislation.
Is it independent?
News is created by people, and those people have perspectives. But that’s no excuse for reporting that isn’t fair. We make an honest effort to vet our sources carefully and scrutinize views on all sides. This is a key tenet of our independence: We’re here to uncover the truth, not push an agenda.
Here are a few questions you might have for us.
How do I pitch?
Send an email to editor@jerseyvindicator.org with a description of your idea and how you plan to report it. Tell us what you already know about the subject, what else you need to find out, and what kinds of sources you’ll use to report the story. If there’s been prior coverage, summarize it briefly and explain how your approach will add something new. If the story is time-sensitive due to an upcoming event or media competition, let us know.
Put the word “pitch” and a short phrase describing the topic in the subject line.
How much do you pay?
Our standard rate is $800 per story. On a case-by-case basis, we may pay more for large, intensive investigative projects. We may pay less for something short and newsy, a brief follow-up to a previous piece, or the rare opinion piece.
How soon should I expect to hear back?
Within a few days, especially if the story is time-sensitive. If it’s been a while and you think we missed your email, feel free to follow up. No need to apologize; it’s not rude to want to write a timely story.
Are simultaneous submissions okay?
They’re not preferable. We strongly prefer exclusive pitches. If we’re going to decline, we’ll aim to do so promptly so you can take it elsewhere. If you need an expedited response so you can pitch to others quickly, just say so in your email. That’s far better than submitting the same pitch to multiple outlets.
What’s the editing process like?
One of our editors will be your point of contact. Your editor will provide overarching feedback about structure, scope, and other big-picture concerns. They’ll also do a detailed edit for you to review in Google Docs—sometimes more than once, depending on the piece. After revisions are complete, the publisher will review the story and may submit final edits or questions. For some stories, we may assign an independent fact-checker or request legal review.
Do you publish opinion pieces?
Occasionally, but the bar is high. Your angle must be sharp and your analysis truly original. If you believe you have an argument that’s best suited for The Jersey Vindicator, send it over. If it would be a better fit for newspaper op-ed pages, consider submitting there instead.
Have more questions?
Just send us an email and we’ll get back to you. One more time: editor@jerseyvindicator.org.
Thanks again for your interest. We’ll keep an eye out.