Freelance Journalist, KALW News

KALW News is currently accepting pitches for our radio news magazine Crosscurrents.

If you have any questions reach out to victor@kalw.org

KALW’s award-winning news department has always been a place for learning and experimentation and we invite storytellers at all levels to work with us. We air audio stories that cover issues relevant to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Want to send us a pitch? We accept pitches from reporters at all levels, but you must show that you have the skills to make an audio feature. If you don’t have existing work samples, we’ll consider taking a story on spec. First, read our contributor guide and rate sheet to learn more about our process and what we're looking for. Once you're ready, you can submit your story idea using this form.

NOTE: Pitches are reviewed on Wednesdays and the deadline to submit is Sunday at midnight.

Training Opportunities

If you're just starting out or have no experience in audio journalism, consider applying to one of our training programs:

• Summer Journalism Training Program: A 3.5-month intensive that's a great opportunity for someone who has a basic level of experience producing radio features and wants to build on that in a supportive, collaborative newsroom. It's a 16-20 hour commitment that includes participating in daily news production, producing news spots and features, and attending five evening seminars that cover topics that include pitching, story structure, editing in ProTools, thinking in sound & scene, digital production & engagement. Learn more.
• Audio Academy: A nine-month in-depth training program in audio journalism and production. It's a 16-20 hour a week commitment that includes participating in daily news production and producing news spots and features. In this program, we offer 25 evening seminars taught by staff and special guest panelists, covering everything you need to get started in radio and podcasting. Learn more.

Rates

From the KALW News Contributor Guide and Rates (September 2023): We have three rate tiers for different types of stories. If you are an experienced audio journalist, we encourage you to pitch an in-depth Level 1 feature. We dedicate extra time and learning resources to those who are less experienced and typically Level 2 or Level 3 features are a good fit for newer reporters and anyone who wants to do a less-intensive feature. If you are a student, you are welcome to pitch a story that you are working on for a college-level class, but we do not typically pay students who are just starting out.

• Level 1 feature: $1,200. Involves in-depth research and original reporting; requires the reporter to have good prior knowledge of the subject matter; has a strong narrative arc involving multiple characters; involves a mixture of different types of sound and scenes from multiple locations; includes a web article with a full copyedited script, a photo, and a headline.
• Level 2 feature: $800. Involves multiple interviewees; involves interviews conducted where the interviewee is carrying on activities relevant to the story; involves a range of sounds and scenes from one or multiple locations; includes a web article with a full copyedited script, a photo, and a headline.
• Level 3 feature or profile: $400. Involves one or possibly two interviewees; contains interviews conducted mostly in one place; involves use of sound and scenes from one location; includes a web article with a full copyedited script, a photo, and a headline. Examples: At Work, Culture Keepers.
• Scripted reporter two-way with actualities ("Enhanced QA"): $400. Involves scripting a Q&A to read with the Crosscurrents host on a topic that the reporter has previously covered and on which they are very knowledgeable; involves gathering actualities from first-hand interviews; includes a web article with a copyedited synopsis (adapted from the lede), a photo (can be Creative Commons), and a headline.
• Scripted reporter two-way (QA): $300. Involves scripting a Q&A to read with the Crosscurrents host on a topic that the reporter has previously covered and on which they are very knowledgeable; includes a web article with a copyedited synopsis (adapted from the lede), a photo (can be Creative Commons), and a headline.
• Opinion piece or "Bay View": $100. If you would like to submit an opinion piece or personal essay, you do not need prior experience as a journalist. Involves writing and editing a first-hand perspective on a topic relevant to the Bay Area, at least 2 minutes; includes a copyedited script, high quality audio, and a headline and photo for a web article in the deliverables.

Getting Paid

After a story has been accepted reporters will meet with an editor and fill out a contract to arrange for payment upon completion. You should receive payment within two weeks of publication.