Staff Reporter

Why come to work for Source Media?

Let’s be real. The local news business is a challenging line of work. The business model is transforming. Independent networks with deep roots in their communities are on the rise, offering an alternative to tired legacy operations. We know this is a true statement because over the past 12 years we’ve built a network of 3 local newsrooms which cover Richland, Ashland and Knox counties. Soon our 4th location in Delaware, Ohio will come on line.

We're growing and we'd love for you to grow with us. We have three openings for reporters based in the charming small cities of Ashland, Shelby, and Mount Vernon, Ohio.

You might be the perfect reporter for us if you feel in your bones that trusted independent local journalism is a keystone to an informed, engaged and healthy community. You might be the right candidate if you love being on a great team and contributing to its success. Most of all, you either already love these places or you’re open to making a home there and joining our community.

Are you a young reporter right out of college looking for your first job? Are you a veteran journalist on the hunt for a reinvigorating second act? Or do you have a non-traditional background, but know you could be a great reporter because you’re curious, friendly, a good communicator and know North Central Ohio inside and out?

Let’s have a look at what kind of company you’re joining.

• Trusted. 95% of 4,000+ survey respondents said they trusted our news reporting in 2024. Compare that to 28% for national mass media.


• Entrepreneurial. You’ll learn how to think through new initiatives. You’ll call some of your own shots. You’ll be in a safe place to think big and fail fast. Everyone around you will have your back.


• Community focused. You will learn all about how memberships and subscriptions support our reporting and make it possible.


• A solutions mindset. We are going to teach you how to do Solutions Journalism at a very high level and you’ll practice it consistently.


• Engaged. We are a reader-driven newsroom, which means you’ll learn practical audience engagement from the ground up. You’ll answer reader questions and develop relationships with sources in a way you don’t learn in J-school or traditional media.


• Professional development. We’re relentless about helping our staff get better and improve through professional development opportunities.


• Connected.  We count the Knight Foundation, the Solutions Journalism Network, Hearken, the Meta Journalism Project, the Google News Initiative, LION Publishers, the Medill School of Journalism, Poynter, The Lenfest Institute, the American Press Institute, the Sulzberger Fellowship at Columbia University, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, Report for America, the NYC Media Lab, the Associated Press, and many more among our friends and partners. 

Bottom line: Source Media Properties is a great place to work and we punch way above our weight class.

Let’s fact-check those claims

• One of only 14 newsrooms chosen from 200 applicants for catalytic expansion funding to help us grow into Delaware.


• LION Publishers national winner for community engagement journalism in 2025.


• Ambitious solutions-oriented enterprise reporting on a changing workforce, veterans issues, affordable housing, flooding, the Intel expansion in Ohio and gun violence has drawn local and national support.


• Source Media was one of only 200 newsrooms to be a  2024-25 Press Forward open call grantee


• Launched successful reimagining of our membership program in 2024, adding 1,000 new members in a year.


• Our 2024 Impact Report and members tell our story.


• Deep audience listening results in Citizens’ Agenda for local political coverage.


• Newsroom Partnerships and memberships add up to $250k support for local reporters.


• A story on infant mortality turned into a community baby shower.


• 2020’s racial reckoning turned into a groundbreaking collaboration with a Black-owned barbershop.


• And when it’s time to relax, how about a rock show in the newsroom?
  

Job Description 

We are looking for an innovative, entrepreneurial reporter who isn't afraid to break from the mold of a traditional newsroom. We’re a hybrid work environment with some expected in-office time. Successful candidates will make a home in North Central Ohio to best become part of the community, respond to news as quickly as possible, and engage with our readers.

We expect this reporter to pick their spots when it comes to working with a Solutions Journalism mindset, as this is a key part of what we do. We utilize Open Source, a reader-involvement tool that solicits questions from readers that we expect to be another consistent component of the position.

Our team at all four sites works together to frequently share content, ideas and resources. Our small network of sites will combine for approximately 10 million page views this year and 500k visitors per month.

Qualifications and Responsibilities

• A college graduate with strong writing, reporting and interviewing skills


• Basic knowledge of photography, audio and video production 


• A well-rounded individual who can cover a city council or school board meeting, or take a camera to a Friday night high school football game 


• Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fluid schedule.


• Write accurate, clear and well-reported stories while facing daily deadlines


• Identify and pitch stories on various subjects


• Write and update stories on the news of the day


• Work with other reporters on various assignments


• Collaborate with other departments for various assignments


• Occasional travel and work on nights, weekends and holidays

It’s possible that a great candidate won’t check all of these boxes. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself and why your background makes you a great fit.

Culture

The culture here is collaborative and entrepreneurial, and you need to know that going in. This isn't a giant newspaper and we don't act that way. If you want a 200-foot tall wall between the newsroom and the revenue team, we are not the place for you. We never compromise our ethics, but are realistic about the position the business of local news finds itself in, and we -- all of us -- are committed to fixing it. Our team works together frequently to support membership efforts, organize events, meet with readers, and create content. Our standards are high and we work our tails off, but we have fun while we do it.

We are non-partisan, in case you were wondering. We’re not interested in being a part of the hate economy that has done so much damage to our industry and democracy. That said, non-partisan is not non-thinking. We call B.S. when B.S. needs to be called.

Location

While the majority of your time will be spent in in your market, you always have a home in our headquarters. We're located in a growing downtown section of Mansfield. HQ is within walking distance of an emerging scene encompassing bars, live music venues, restaurants and the best coffee shop and bakery in town.

Salary & Benefits

• $40 - 45k with a full benefits package detailed below. 


• 401k program with a 100% employer match.


• 3 weeks paid vacation.


• Up to 2 weeks PTO in addition to vacation.


• A generous technology and cell phone stipend.


• Downtown office in a vibrant co-working space with free parking.


• A company-wide hybrid work environment. 


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.


• An HSA with an employer contribution.


• Paid parental leave.


• Employer-paid emotional and mental health support / counseling.


• 8 paid holidays, including MLK day and Juneteenth.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

We believe that the best organizations reflect the communities they serve, and we’re continually taking steps to make that a reality at Source Media Properties. People who love it here have a passion for community, love local media, are accountable for their actions, can accept and give constructive feedback (we’ll teach you how), and want to work as a team to achieve great things.

Our company is filled with successful people who grew up on farms, in the suburbs and in cities. We vote Democrat, Republican, and who knows what else. We worship as differently as we vote. Some of us have kids, others don’t. Some of us are married, others are single. Our newsroom is filled with degreed journalists and also English majors. We graduated from public schools, private schools, and maybe never went to college. We’ve got vegetarians and omnivores at the company cookout. Some of us own guns, and others have never held one. 

What this means is we value all people and approach our differences with curiosity and respect.

If this description feels like a diverse workplace which treats people fairly and tries to include all kinds of people, you can find belonging at Source Media Properties. 

We can’t wait to meet you.