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We’re looking for an ambitious and curious Local Democracy Reporter to cover Swindon and ensure residents are properly informed about decisions taken by those in power. This role focuses on local government, public bodies and democratic institutions, explaining how decisions are made, what they mean for local people, and holding decision‑makers to account through clear, fair and accurate reporting. You’ll be based at our Swindon office, and will attend meetings in person wherever possible, including some evenings. This is a BBC-funded role, with your work being shared across several platforms, including the BBC, the nationals and other local news brands. You will be given support and development, including a structured induction and ongoing training, editorial, legal and digital support when needed, and opportunities to develop investigative, analytical and multimedia skills. You will have access to regular meetings and conferences through the BBC with the Local Democracy Reporting scheme, and opportunities to appear on TV and radio at times for wider BBC coverage.
Job Responsibility:
Cover council meetings, committees and public decision‑making, producing clear, accurate and balanced reports
Read agendas and papers in advance, spotting the real stories and explaining their implications for residents
Break exclusive stories and enterprise reporting, including investigations, follow‑ups and deeper dives into key issues
Build strong local contacts with councillors, officers, community leaders and residents, while maintaining independence
Write digital‑first stories using headlines, structure and context to make civic journalism accessible to modern audiences
Use multimedia where it adds value, such as short videos, images or explainers to help audiences understand complex issues
Requirements:
Strong reporting and writing skills with a commitment to accuracy, fairness and balance
Confidence working independently to deadlines and managing a busy diary
The personality to contend with pressure from stakeholders and readers on contentious issues
Ability to turn complex council business into clear, engaging stories
Digital awareness and an understanding of how audiences consume local news online
NCTJ qualification or equivalent (including shorthand at 100wpm), or solid equivalent experience
Drivers licence
Nice to have:
NQJ or senior qualification or equivalent experience
Experience covering councils, courts or public bodies (or a clear interest in this field)
Extensive experience working in a newsroom
Experience working on multimedia, including video
What we offer:
25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off