Investigative Journalist (Equity-Based Compensation Initially)

About Aebly Media

Aebly Media serves as a unique media platform blending the spectrum of political perspectives—Left, Center, and Right—while assigning bias ratings to sources. Our innovative civic-tech approach not only presents the full context of news stories but also empowers users to act by mapping their stance through engagement with legislation and political content. Our tools connect users to aligned candidates and foster local voices via an expanding anchor network across states and the Capitol. We aim to cultivate confidence in convictions by providing comprehensive understanding paired with actionable resources.

The Role

We are initiating "Witness," a feature allowing community members to report events live, with our investigative journalists verifying and transforming these reports into reliable, fact-based stories. As an Investigative Journalist, you will pursue leads on these submissions, validate information, consult sources, and create in-depth investigations rooted in truth.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate user-submitted content through Witness, verifying facts and discerning truth from rumors.
• Conduct interviews with eyewitnesses, officials, and other relevant individuals.
• Utilize public records, official documents, and primary materials to thoroughly develop stories.
• Produce well-researched, factual articles that withstand critical examination.
• Uphold Aebly’s editorial standards by clearly stating biases and grounding claims in verifiable evidence.
• Collaborate with editors and the editorial team to prioritize assignments and coordinate publication.
• Safeguard confidential sources and manage sensitive content with ethics and discretion.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated persistence and intuition for uncovering compelling stories.
• Proven skill in rigorous fact-checking, sourcing, and investigative technique.
• Exceptional writing abilities to clarify complex information into engaging narratives.
• Confident and tactful interviewer capable of handling sensitive or adversarial interactions.
• Dedication to fairness, accuracy, and professional journalistic ethics.
• Self-directed, capable of managing deadlines and working independently.
• Comfort with remote work and dispersed team collaboration.

Preferred but Not Required

• Prior experience in investigative, news, or field reporting.
• Familiarity with public records, FOIA, document analysis, or data journalism.
• Educational background related to journalism or communications.
• Knowledge of media law, libel issues, and source confidentiality.
• Experience covering political or community affairs.

Compensation and Opportunities

• Initial remuneration through founding equity with milestone vesting and future salary prospects as the company grows.
• Participate as a founding member of the Witness project, reshaping community-driven investigative journalism.
• Autonomy to pursue meaningful stories supported by a platform emphasizing transparency and truth.
• Influence the evolution of investigative journalism at Aebly with a foundational role.

Additional Terms

This position is offered on a contractual, at-will basis with compensation initially equity-based rather than salaried. Transition to paid employment is envisioned as the company expands, subject to individual agreements. Aebly Media embraces equal employment opportunities and encourages applicants committed to exposing important untold stories to apply.