The Blacklight, the NY Amsterdam News’ investigative unit, is looking for experienced freelance journalists.
Currently we are accepting pitches for stories about the impact of COVID-19 as well as gun violence on Black and brown communities, esp. in NYC.
We primarily work with journalists based in the NYC area but we are also open to pitches from journalists based outside the region.
However, we require all our freelance journalists to have a minimum of five years of experience AND a connection to, understanding of, or experience reporting on Black and brown communities in the United States and/or New York City.
In your pitch please answer the following questions:
What is the story about? Who is being impacted? Are there solutions to the challenges that you are writing about?
Has anyone else covered this story? If so, what makes your story different or deeper?
Who are the main subjects/sources that you will be interviewing/profiling? Are they willing to go on the record and be identified?
What do you see as the ideal length for your story and what is your proposed timeline for reporting and submitting a first draft?
Send story ideas to blacklight@amsterdamnews.com along with a brief introduction as well as your CV and some clips. Pitches written using Generative AI, ChatGPT or similar products will not be considered and your email will be blocked.
Here are our pay rates!
Fact Checks – $250+
500-1000 words
1-2 interviews
1-2 days of research
Medium length Articles – $1 a word
800-1500 words
2-4 interviews
Research 2-5 days
Long form Articles – $2 a word or flat commission fee
1500+words
4+ interviews
5+ days of research
Data Visualizations $250-$500+ per piece
1-3 days of work
May or may not require data cleaning