Associate Evening Writer, National Breaking News, Digital

Job Description

The Job

This journalist reports and writes national breaking news as a part of CNN Digital's National desk. We're light, agile and obsessed with producing strong, accurate and timely journalism.

This Associate Writer will cover breaking news in real time and help reset each day's coverage with new articles on the most significant national stories for our morning audiences – from how the pandemic is impacting American life to the devastating toll of extreme weather events.

This person will also write distinctive, timely news features and other original work for CNN's digital platforms.

The position will be based in Los Angeles. The shift begins in the afternoon and ends in the late evening Pacific time.

The Daily
• Writes stories that are published and shared across CNN's mobile and desktop sites, apps, social accounts and other platforms.
• This journalist will often help shape story ideas and angles around complex topics and will pitch and execute stories on their own.
• When a big story breaks, this Associate Writer will take the lead in starting and updating the main story for all platforms, keeping us sharp and fast on breaking news.
• This person must be skilled at finding ways to cover the news of the day in distinctive ways that resonate with audiences.
• CNN's writers are skillful and swift. They turn in clean, crisp and conversational copy on the first draft.
• This person knows how to write briefly and breezily when needed but can also handle high-concept stories off the news.
• This person will also pitch ideas that support key storylines, themes or initiatives, or that otherwise dazzle.
• S/he knows how to write in formats that go beyond the traditional article - including visual stories and explanatory work that helps audiences understand the news.
• A critical component of the job will be assisting with the live stories that are an essential part of our breaking news coverage.
• All CNN journalists need to have a creative and competitive drive. S/he also follows best practices for SEO and tagging.
• In any given day, this person may be asked to work with CNN correspondents in the field; draft alerts; or write off CNN's air.

The Essentials
• Willingness to work nights: full-time evening role, with a schedule that may keep you working past midnight on the West Coast.
• At least 1 year of digital storytelling experience.
• Ability to write clear, accurate news stories.
• Experience writing breaking news in real time, as a story unfolds.
• Ability to frame stories for a national audience.
• College degree or equivalent.
• Care deeply about accuracy, urgency and integrity and in maintaining and growing the trust CNN has with audiences worldwide.
• This position is required to work in person at one of our US locations. WarnerMedia requires anyone working in our US workplaces to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions to this vaccine requirement are available to those entitled to reasonable accommodations for religious or medical reasons.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g3ov2q-18-221-174-248-42 in your application.