Information and Influence Reporter
The Washington Post · DC-Washington-TWP Headquarters · $120,000–$165,000 (stated in the posting)
Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Join the future of news
We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning News and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post is seeking an enterprising, creative and deeply curious reporter to cover the rapidly evolving information ecosystem — exploring the forces that shape what people know, what they believe and how ideas spread in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
This beat sits at the intersection of media, technology, politics and culture. The reporter will examine the institutions, platforms, personalities and economic incentives that determine how information is created, distributed and consumed. From the rise of artificial intelligence and creator-driven media to misinformation campaigns, ideological ecosystems and online influence networks, this beat will illuminate how information has become one of the defining sources of power in modern society.
This is a role for a reporter who enjoys untangling complex systems, following money and influence and revealing the people and organizations driving change behind the scenes. They should be equally comfortable writing fast-paced news stories, ambitious investigations, explanatory journalism and compelling narratives that help readers understand an increasingly complicated world.
This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom, though exceptional candidates in New York or San Francisco may be considered.
What Motivates You:
You are fascinated by how information is created, amplified and sometimes weaponized.
You are curious about the intersection of technology, media, politics and power.
You enjoy uncovering emerging trends before they reshape public life.
You thrive on explaining complex systems in ways that are clear, engaging and accessible.
You are energized by collaboration and ambitious enterprise reporting.
How You'll Support the Mission:
Break news on the people, organizations and platforms shaping today's information ecosystem.
Produce enterprise reporting on misinformation, disinformation, online influence campaigns and the evolving digital media landscape.
Chronicle the growing role of artificial intelligence, creator economies and emerging technologies in the production and distribution of information.
Investigate how political actors, technology companies, media organizations and online communities influence public understanding.
Follow money, incentives and power to reveal how information ecosystems are built, sustained and monetized.
Identify emerging cultural, technological and political trends that shape how audiences consume and trust information.
Produce explanatory journalism, reported analysis and narrative storytelling that helps readers make sense of a rapidly changing media environment.
Collaborate with relevant reporters across the newsroom to produce comprehensive, cross-disciplinary journalism.
Engage audiences through newsletters, social media, video, podcasts, live events and other evolving storytelling platforms.
The Skills and Experiences You Bring:
A track record of producing impactful reporting on technology, media, politics, business or related subjects.
Strong news judgment and an instinct for identifying consequential trends.
Experience covering complex systems and translating them into accessible journalism.
Excellent reporting, interviewing and source-building skills.
A demonstrated ability to produce both breaking news and ambitious enterprise.
A sharp analytical mindset and curiosity about the ways information shapes society.
A collaborative spirit and eagerness to work across disciplines.
A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism.
Interested candidates should upload a cover letter, résumé and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Sept. 29 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Technology Editor Tom Simonite, Tech and Media Editor Alexis Fitts, Deputy Futures Editor Juliet Eilperin and Futures Editor Zachary Goldfarb.
The starting salary range for this position is $120,000 - $165,000. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.
Compensation and Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
Nine paid holidays and two personal days
20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
Robust mental health resources
Backup care and caregiver concierge services
Gender affirming services
Pet insurance
Free Post digital subscription
Leadership and career development programs
Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.
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