The Report for America reporter at WNIJ will gather stories related to social justice and identity. This journalist will give voice to those who seek change -- not merely for the sake of conversation, but to validate their experience, and give incentive for them to speak up and improve their lives.
Report for America will field 250 emerging journalists in 164 host news organizations to serve local communities across 46 states in the coming year.
WNIJ News Director Jenna Dooley says there will be no shortage of stories to tell across the region.
“From the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, to the beauty of the Illinois Valley, and strong agricultural traditions, to the urban center of Rockford and the educational hub of Northern Illinois University, the region’s urban/rural divide allows us to provide perspectives of scope, scale, and context on how issues affect communities and their residents,” Dooley said.
Report for America is a national service program that places talented, emerging journalists into local news organizations to report for one to two years on under-covered issues and communities. An initiative of The GroundTruth Project, Report for America addresses an urgent need in journalism at a time when news deserts are widening across the country.
Applications for this position and other Report for America opportunities are being accepted until January 31, 2020 at reportforamerica.org.
The mission of Northern Public Radio is to enrich, inspire and inform adults in northern Illinois through programs and services that share ideas, encourage thought, give pleasure and create community. We are a member station for National Public Radio (NPR) and create opportunities throughout the year to work with reporters at all stages of their careers.