Trainee Reporter – Bournemouth

The Bournemouth Echo is seeking an ambitious trainee reporter to join our team. For more than 125 years, the Echo has been setting the agenda with hard-hitting journalism, and an opportunity has arisen for a dedicated reporter to join us. You will cover the vibrant patches of the BCP area, as well as the rest of Dorset, using your passion for digital storytelling to unearth fresh and exciting stories. The Echo is thriving with a fast-growing digital audience, but at our heart is amazing journalism you can trust. This is your chance to play a part in writing the next chapter of our history.

Key Responsibilities

Cover the BCP area and wider Dorset, producing engaging stories across multiple formats.
Find exclusives, cover breaking news and events, and develop contacts to dig out stories.
Experiment with new storytelling techniques and formats beyond traditional reporting.
Contribute to the Echo’s digital growth while maintaining high standards of trusted journalism.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Gold standard NCTJ qualification with 100 words per minute shorthand.
Full driving licence and access to a car (essential).
Passion for digital storytelling and willingness to try new approaches.
Strong news sense and ability to work under pressure to deliver breaking news.
Ambition and enthusiasm to develop as an outstanding trainee reporter.

Job Benefits

Competitive salary
25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
Structured career progression & ongoing training
Pension plan & mental health support
Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers (£50 towards glasses)
- Retail discounts
Team building days & annual volunteer charity day

About Newsquest Media Group

We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions.

We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population.

In addition to our local news brands, we own several digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs.