Community Reporter

The Macon Melody is hiring a community reporter who wants to do meaningful local journalism in a city with deep roots, big opportunities and regional influence. Founded in 2024, The Macon Melody is the first startup newsroom of the National Trust for Local News. Named in honor of Macon’s huge role in shaping American music, The Melody serves Macon-Bibb County as a full local newsroom while also functioning as an innovation lab — testing new storytelling tools and approaches alongside rigorous, community-centered reporting. This reporter will focus primarily on how public systems affect people’s daily lives, with frequent coverage of health, safety and the justice system. The work is grounded in community journalism and solutions journalism: listening closely to residents, examining how problems developed, and exploring what has been tried, what has worked and what hasn’t. WHAT YOU’LL REPORT ON Your coverage will center on the human impact of large, often complex systems. That includes stories about:

• Access to health care, mental health services, addiction treatment, disability services, aging and rural care.
• Public safety and prevention, including traffic deaths and neighborhood safety.
• Courts, incarceration, reentry, and how the justice system affects individuals and families.
• Victims, survivors and the services intended to support them.

One example of the work you might do: taking a deep look at homelessness in the Macon area — how the community arrived at this point, which approaches have been tried, where efforts have fallen short, and which solutions show promise locally or elsewhere. WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Pitch, report and write original stories for digital and print.
• Practice solutions journalism by examining responses to community challenges, not just the problems themselves.
• Contribute to breaking and time-sensitive coverage when it intersects with your areas of focus.
• Produce some audio and video reporting, including short-form and explanatory pieces.
• Build strong, ethical source relationships with residents, advocates, service providers and officials.
• Use data and public records when helpful, while keeping reporting accessible and grounded.

THE NEWSROOM You’ll join a growing newsroom that includes:

• Another community reporter focused on education and economic opportunity.
• A senior reporter dedicated to government and public accountability.
• A features editor and a sports editor.
• Experienced editorial leaders, including an executive editor, an enterprise and training editor, and an audience and digital strategist.

You’ll be supported as you develop story ideas, sharpen your reporting skills and experiment with new formats. WHY MACON?Macon-Bibb County is a major metro area and the hub of Middle Georgia, with a consolidated city-county government and regional reach. The community is seeing real momentum — from large-scale economic development to the possibility of becoming home to a new national park — alongside persistent challenges that demand thoughtful reporting. Decisions made here affect communities across the region, making it a compelling place to report on health, safety and justice. WHO THIS IS FOR This role is a good fit for a reporter who:

• Is curious, fair and comfortable reporting on complex or sensitive topics.
• Cares about listening to communities and explaining how systems affect everyday life.
• Is interested in solutions journalism and long-term storytelling, not just daily headlines.
• Wants to help shape the future of a growing local newsroom.

Candidates should have at least one year of journalism experience, which may include work in a college newsroom or through internships. If you’re excited by the chance to report deeply, experiment thoughtfully and do journalism that matters in a place with real stakes, we’d love to hear from you. Please note: This is an in-person role based in Macon. You must have a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation and vehicle insurance. You need to be able to work eight-hour shifts (Monday through Friday) along with occasional evening and weekend work as news requires. SALARY AND BENEFITS The salary for this position is $45,000 per year. Benefits include:

• Employer-provided health insurance through Cigna, with the employee paying a small percentage of the premium; spouse and family coverage is available at an additional cost.
• 100% employer-paid vision and dental insurance through Cigna.
• Optional cafeteria plan, including disability and life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Major holidays off.
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities through the Georgia Trust for Local News and the National Trust for Local News.

READY TO APPLY?If you’re interested in applying, please complete this Google Form . If you have any problems completing the form or have questions about the role, please contact Joshua Wilson, executive editor of The Macon Melody , at [email protected] .