Places to file as a reporter: Free Speech Radio News

From: Catherine Komp
Date: Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 8:41 AM

Hi …

FSRN does have a very open process. In terms of news production, FSRN has about 150 freelance reporters around the world, and much of our daily newscast is driven by the stories they pitch to us. We work with journalists who have many years of experience, and those who are just beginning. We do require contributors to have their own equipment. Here's a link to FSRN's pitch and reporting guidelines:

http://www.fsrn.org/content/reporter-guidelines/5

If there's anyone out there interested in becoming a contributor, send your CV and any audio samples (ideally similar in format to what FSRN airs - 60 seconds to 4 minutes in length) to producers [at] fsrn.org.

Some of FSRN's news is also driven by listeners who send us ideas and news tips. You can send those to both producers[at]fsrn.org and comments[at]fsrn.org.

In addition to what comes to us from reporters/listeners, FSRN staff does make editorial decisions each day. We have a DC editor and reporters who evaluate the top news on Capitol Hill. We have a headlines editor that incorporates a lot of breaking news. We also choose topics to be examined through one-on-one interviews with our host. All of these things are discussed during a morning editorial meeting and as news breaks throughout the day.

FSRN has a number of paid staff, many of whom were first reporters, staff subs, volunteers or SC members.

In terms of the bigger organizational structure, FSRN has a BOD and a Steering Committee (SC). FSRN members elect both the BOD and SC. A person is considered a member after filing (in one year's time) three or more features or investigative stories or six or more headlines, or a combination of both where two headlines equal one feature. People who volunteer 40 hours are also considered members as well as staff and the BOD.

FSRN staff, BOD and SC members live in cities across the globe. We often say this is our greatest strength (diversity of people and places) and our biggest challenge (hard to coordinate telephone conferences, much less in-person meetings). In a recent conference call brainstorming ideas about FSRN's future, we had 25 people together (reportes, staff, steering committee and board members) from cities including New Delhi, Kampala, London, DC, San Francisco, Madison, Denver, and New York.

Hope this answers some of your questions - let us know if there's more we can share with you.

Best, Catherine

Catherine Komp
FSRN's Features Producer