Global news agency AFP is offering an exciting opportunity to be a part of its award-winning digital investigation network, which has taken a frontline role in combating disinformation and misinformation.
We are seeking an editor to coordinate fact checks that tackle misleading and false narratives that shape public perceptions of news events around the world, whether it be US politics, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, health matters, climate, or the environment.
The journalist will focus on misinformation in North America, commissioning and editing fact-check stories from around the region. There will be some opportunities to write your own stories and voice videos that address misinformation topics, raising public awareness about a global threat.
The position will be based in AFP's Washington DC office. The role requires an ability to work in a fast-paced multimedia newsroom, meeting tight deadlines. While the journalist will specialize in digital investigation and fact checks, they may also be required to assist with other key digital verification tasks, such as the sourcing of breaking news UGC.
You will closely monitor social media and strictly adhere to the Agency's guidelines on social media activity, respecting AFP's ethics charter as well as editorial guidelines and in the Agency's style guide.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Applicants must have strong editing and writing skills. Experience in digital verification and investigation techniques and tools is desirable but not essential, as appropriate training will be provided. Steady news judgment, rigor and a sense of journalistic purpose is essential.
The journalist will work in English but should also be able to translate articles from French. Good communication skills, both written and oral are necessary, as is an ability to multitask.
The position requires agility and would suit someone who can easily navigate major social media platforms - including Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and encrypted chat apps.
THE BUREAU
Washington is the headquarters for AFP's North America operation, which consists of bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, San Francisco and the United Nations.
One of the largest AFP bureau outside Paris, it is home to busy French- and English-language news desks, a multimedia cell, five economics journalists, and more than a dozen specialist reporters covering the White House, the State Department, the Pentagon and Congress, as well as national security, justice, science, health and general news, working in both French and English. They are joined by two Spanish speaking journalists, a team of photographers and photo editors, and a dozen video producers and editors.
THE TEAM
The digital investigation team in Washington consists of seven English-language journalists, one Hispanophone and two francophone reporters, as well as a head and deputy head of service who also task two additional Hispanophone journalists based in Mexico City. The team works within AFP North America's main regional newsroom, alongside the multi-language teams of video, text and photo journalists who cover the continent out of AFP's regional headquarters, as well as the Global Disinformation Correspondent, contributing to the main AFP newswire.
CONDITIONS & RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Salary and conditions are outlined in the contract with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, which can be consulted at https://wbng.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/afp-2023-24-signed.pdf The applicants should make sure, before they apply, that they agree with the conditions.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:
Regional Director for North America: marc.lavine@afp.com
Chief Editor for North America: giles.hewitt@afp.com
Head of Digital Investigation for North America: arthur.macmillan@afp.com
Regional HR Manager for North America : marion.berger@afp.com
Agence France-Presse is committed to equal employment opportunity and employs all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by the federal, state or local laws.
Agence France-Presse provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system or otherwise need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Marion Berger at marion.berger@afp.com