Get to know The Correspondent

The Correspondent styles itself as a journalism platform focused on constructive, in-depth reporting. Managing editor Eliza Anyangwe says the site places a high value on diversity and wants to impact journalism itself with an approach to stories that are ‘transnational, collaborative and constructive’. The Correspondent’s readers are deeply curious, globally minded and radically hopeful.

The editorial team are particularly interested in stories on the following themes: money, trade and global financial systems; work lives, workplaces and work practices; culture, media, spirituality; biodiversity and stories about non-human life; migrations, land, borders and states/statehood; the information frontier and the digital world; wealth and inequality; climate solutions and economy; modern lives and modern love; food and farming, and finally, ‘waste’, however you interpret that.

While addressing one (or more) of the above themes, a good

Correspondent story will do one of the following: Explains root causes/expose underlying systems; investigate issues that manifest as a result of living in a globalised world; debunk a widely held position or reveal it to be flawed or short-sighted. Where possible your story should not just point out what’s not working, but consider what might work instead.

Eliza says, ‘We might start off commissioning just one piece from you but the clearer in your mind your beat is, the better you’ll communicate that to us, and the greater the chances of that story leading to much more work.’

In terms of format, you can pitch a piece of analysis, journalistic reporting, an explainer, an interview feature, a Q&A, an essay or even a column, almost anything except a personal essay. Whatever your pitch, make sure you demonstrate that you are familiar with The Correspondent’s

approach, and explain why the site’s readers will be interested in your story.

Pay is 40¢ per word. For special, ongoing projects the platform may pay a wage rather than per word rate. Data visualisers and illustrators are also required: email your portfolio to image and production editor, Lise Straatsma: lise@thecorrespondent.com

Be sure to follow the detailed guidelines at https://writ.rs/ correspondent, and then send your pitch using the form at https://writ.rs/ correspondentpitch