Daily News Journalist Scriptwriter (Social Media Content)

We need a journalist who can write scripts that match or, even better, improve on our current style/voice and can hit the ground running from day one. Your job is to take current stories and turn them into scripts that are accurate, punchy, and built for retention, across short-form (TikTok) and ability to adapt them to longer YouTube roundups.
Location & Hours:
Remote, 5 days a week - with flexibility for breaking news. 
(NOTE: Hybrid role: If you're confident writing and video editing, we're open to combining this with our video editor/sourcer role into a single hybrid position. Entirely optional, just let us know if that's something you'd be interested in when you apply.)
What you'll do day to day:
* Research and fact-check current news stories daily
* Write 2-3 short-form scripts daily, with fast turnaround times (hours)
* Optimize the short form scripts into longer roundup formats - Match tone and pacing to platform (TikTok vs YouTube)
* Verify sources and flag anything that needs editorial sign-off
* Turn stories around fast (same-day)
Working pace:
Workload varies with the news cycle. Quieter periods occur during slower news weeks and travel periods, while busier periods require rapid, high-volume output across the team. Candidates should be comfortable operating in a variable, fast-paced environment. We operate between BST and US timezones so must be available for mornings.
You must have:
* A journalism background (reporting, fact-checking, source verification)
* Proven ability to write for video, not just print/web
* Proven, demonstrable experience writing for short-form social media news content, not just general video or brand scripts
* Strong editorial instincts, including pacing, hooks, and audience retention
* Sound judgment in sourcing accurate, fact-checked material
* Ability to work independently - this is a remote position
* The ability to match or improve on our current script style and tone
* The ability to turn scripts around super fast, 5 days a week
* A portfolio or writing samples that back all of the above up
Don't apply if:
* You are seeking a position with extensive onboarding or training, we need someone proficient and fast from day one
* Your portfolio does not include news/information and social media experience
* You are unavailable for daily, quick-turnaround assignments
* You prefer working with longer production timelines
* You can't reliably complete tight turnarounds
Nice to have:
* Experience writing for a news creator, digital publisher, or newsroom with a social-first audience
* Familiarity with current events across a broad range of beats (not just one niche)
Details:
* Freelance / contract, ongoing basis
* Rate: [TBD per script or per day, moving to monthly retainer once proven ability meets requirements]
* Location: Remote
* Start: ASAP
To apply:
Send a CV, 2-3 writing samples (ideally video scripts), a note on when you are available to start to
NOTE: Hybrid role: If you're confident writing and editing, we're open to combining this with our video editor/sourcer role into a single hybrid position.