Crime Reporter, US

dmg::media

$85K — $95K *
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Proven experience as a journalist or reporter in crime or court reporting.
  • Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality crime journalism and exclusives.
  • Demonstrated ability to cover breaking news promptly and accurately.
  • Experience reporting on criminal trials and significant legal proceedings.
  • Excellent writing, interviewing, and research capabilities.
  • Deep understanding of the U.S. legal system and court processes.
  • Proficiency in developing and maintaining reliable sources.

Responsibilities

  • Produce compelling features and exclusive content on U.S. crime stories.
  • Report live on criminal trials and breaking news in legal proceedings.
  • Identify and pitch agenda-setting crime stories.
  • Conduct thorough research and interviews for accurate journalism.
  • Assist in editing and shaping content for the Crime Desk newsletter.
  • Depict and lead the Crime Desk in the editor's absence, managing daily operations.
  • Contribute to multimedia projects and engage on social platforms.

Benefits

  • Work with a globally recognized news brand.
  • Collaborative and dynamic newsroom atmosphere.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions.
  • Generous paid time off policy.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Engage in high-impact storytelling read by millions.
Full Job Description
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor
Location: Onsite, Daily Mail US, New York, NY
Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000
About the Role

The Crime Desk is the home of the Daily Mail's unrivalled true-crime exclusives, expert analysis, and coverage of the biggest criminal cases in the world.

The desk brings together deep reporting, cold cases, major trials, breaking crime news, audio, video, and digital storytelling in one powerful destination.

We are looking for an experienced multimedia journalist with a passion for crime, courts, and investigative reporting to join our growing team in New York.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished reporter and storyteller, capable of producing compelling, high-quality features, moving quickly on breaking news, covering major criminal trials, and delivering agenda-setting exclusives and scoops.

The role requires a strong understanding of crime and the U.S. legal system, excellent reporting and writing skills, and the ability to work across multiple platforms. This includes appearing on camera for Daily Mail's social channels, contributing to video projects, and participating in or hosting podcast recordings.

The role will also involve editing, producing, and helping shape content for the global Crime Desk newsletter, ensuring it delivers exclusive reporting, sharp analysis, and must-read storytelling.

The successful candidate will also help oversee the Crime Desk when the U.S. Crime Editor is away, including assigning stories, helping manage the desk's daily output, and managing the newsletter.

The role is primarily office-based, and the successful candidate will be expected to work from the New York newsroom five days a week.
About What You'll Do
  • Produce high-quality features, exclusives, and interviews on U.S. crime stories, including cold cases.
  • Report on live criminal trials, court hearings, and other significant legal proceedings, including breaking news.
  • Identify and develop agenda-setting crime stories, exclusive reporting opportunities, and investigative projects.
  • Pitch both short-term and long-term story ideas to the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor.
  • Conduct thorough research, interviews, records checks, and source development to produce accurate and compelling journalism.
  • Assist the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor with the weekly Crime Desk newsletter, including promotional stories, expert Q&As, original reporting, and newsletter copy.
  • Help edit, produce, and shape content for the Crime Desk newsletter and ensure a consistently high editorial standard.
  • Deputize for the Crime Correspondent / Crime Desk Editor when they are away on assignments, including helping run the Crime Desk newsletter and homepage.
  • Help manage the Crime Desk's daily output, assigning stories and coordinating coverage when required.
  • Respond quickly and accurately to breaking crime news and developing stories.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement, attorneys, court officials, experts, sources, and other relevant contacts.
  • Contribute to video projects and appear on camera for Daily Mail's social channels when required.
  • Participate in or host podcast recordings and contribute to audio storytelling.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across the U.S. and wider Daily Mail editorial teams.
  • Help identify emerging crime stories, trends, cases, and characters that can drive audience engagement across platforms.
  • Ensure all reporting meets Daily Mail's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, legal awareness, and quality.
  • Work efficiently under tight deadlines while maintaining strong attention to detail and journalistic standards.
About You

The ideal candidate is an experienced, ambitious, and highly motivated journalist with a genuine passion for crime, courts, and investigative reporting.

You have a strong track record of producing compelling crime journalism and are comfortable working across breaking news, features, trials, exclusives, and longer-term investigations. You are naturally curious, resourceful, and persistent in developing stories and sources.

You thrive in a fast-paced newsroom environment, can move quickly when news breaks, and have the judgment to identify which stories have the potential to become major exclusives.

You are a confident communicator with excellent writing and reporting skills and are comfortable working across digital, social, video, audio, and newsletter platforms. You are also able to work independently while collaborating effectively with editors and colleagues.

You are organized, adaptable, and comfortable taking on additional responsibility, including helping lead the Crime Desk when senior colleagues are away.
Qualifications
  • Proven experience as a journalist or reporter, with significant experience covering crime, courts, investigations, or related subjects.
  • Strong portfolio of high-quality crime reporting and exclusive journalism.
  • Demonstrated ability to cover breaking news quickly and accurately.
  • Experience covering criminal trials, court hearings, or major legal proceedings.
  • Excellent writing, reporting, interviewing, and research skills.
  • Strong understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and court processes.
  • Proven ability to develop and maintain reliable sources and contacts.
  • Experience pitching and developing original story ideas and longer-term projects.
  • Demonstrated editing experience and the ability to help shape and improve other journalists' work.
  • Excellent news judgment and the ability to identify compelling stories and exclusives.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced newsroom.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Willingness and ability to appear on camera and contribute to video and social content.
  • Experience with podcasts, audio production, newsletters, or multimedia storytelling is advantageous.
  • Experience working across digital publishing platforms and social media is advantageous.
About What We Offer
  • Opportunity to work for one of the world's most recognized news brands.
  • Fast-paced, collaborative newsroom environment.
  • Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k).
  • Generous paid time off.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • The chance to break stories read by millions of readers worldwide.
  • The opportunity to work at the heart of a globally recognized Crime Desk covering some of the world's biggest criminal cases.

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