Breaking News Writer (Freelance)

Job Description

Job Description

Atlanta Black Star is seeking experienced Freelance Breaking News Writers to join our fast-paced digital newsroom.

This role is designed for journalists who live and breathe the news cycle. The ideal candidate is a relentless consumer of news, has exceptional reporting instincts, thrives under tight deadlines, and can quickly identify, research, verify, and develop compelling stories across a wide range of topics.

Our breaking news writers cover everything from politics, crime, culture, entertainment, celebrity, social issues, viral moments, and human interest stories to major national and international developments. No two days are the same.

The successful candidate understands that speed matters, but accuracy matters more. They know how to move quickly, dig deeper than competing outlets, uncover key details others miss, and transform developing news into engaging stories that readers cannot stop reading.

What We're Looking For

• A genuine news junkie who follows the news throughout the day across multiple platforms and sources
• Strong reporting instincts and the ability to identify stories before they become widely reported
• Exceptional research and verification skills
• Ability to quickly understand complex situations and explain them clearly to readers
• Strong storytelling ability that keeps readers engaged from the headline through the final paragraph
• Comfort covering a wide range of topics and adapting quickly to new subject matter
• Ability to work independently while maintaining speed, accuracy, and editorial standards
• Strong understanding of digital publishing, audience behavior, and content performance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor breaking news, social platforms, public records, competitor coverage, and emerging conversations throughout the day
• Pitch, develop, report, and write timely stories across a broad range of news topics
• Produce clean, accurate, publish-ready copy with minimal editing required
• Quickly gather facts from multiple sources and verify information before publication
• Identify unique angles, overlooked details, and opportunities to advance developing stories
• Conduct interviews by phone, email, video conference, or in person when necessary
• Follow stories from initial development through subsequent updates and follow-up coverage
• Collaborate with editors to develop stronger story angles, enterprise reporting opportunities, and exclusive content
• Manage multiple stories simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines
• Build and maintain a network of sources that can provide tips, context, and early access to information
• Analyze content performance, audience trends, and reader behavior to improve story selection and pitching strategy
• Utilize CMS tools, photos, video, and supporting media to maximize engagement and reader retention
• Maintain high editorial standards for accuracy, sourcing, fairness, and attribution under deadline pressure