UK: Reading Chronicle – Court and crime reporter

Location:Reading, Berkshire, England

Salary:DoE

We are looking for an exceptional digital journalist to take on court and crime coverage at Newsquest Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

 

You will lead our reporting of crime and court – one of the most important roles in the newsroom and a major driver of digital traffic and newspaper sales.

 

We want much more than someone that sits in court – we are looking for exclusive investigations, backgrounders, human interest stories and well-crafted news pieces around the big crime issues of the day, alongside the very best of what’s happening in our courtrooms.

 

Our nationwide network of court and crime reporters are some of the best-performing journalists in the Newsquest group. This is your chance to join that top tier.

 

You will be:

  • Brimming with ideas on how to tackle the remit and get the most out of it digitally
  • Versatile, and as eager to cover the first appearance at magistrates’ court or join police on a raid as you are providing live coverage of a major crown court trial
  • Fully across what digital readers want from court and crime coverage
  • A digital native, with digital storytelling at the forefront of all you do
  • Clued up on the law and comfortable dealing with people outside of court
  • Excellent at developing relationships with key contacts to improve coverage
  • Driven to succeed using the digital analytics tools at your disposal
  • Confident in getting the best out of the court and challenging them when necessary
  • A self-starter, brilliant with time management
  • An experienced qualified reporter with a strong background in court coverage

You will be working for titles including Bucks Free Press, Reading Chronicle, Bracknell News, and Slough Observer on a very newsy patch – one that has seen major national news in the past few years including the Reading terror attack and death of PC Andrew Harper.

 

The successful applicant for this role needs to be an enthusiastic self-starter who can find stories, make contacts and fit in with our hard-working team, writing across print, web and social media.

 

Applicants must be fully NCTJ qualified – including 100wpm shorthand – and have experience covering the criminal courts.

 

Candidates must also hold a full, clean UK driving licence.

 

Send your CV by clicking apply now.

 

CVs will be reviewed as soon as they are received so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment