Ambitious multimedia startup Newsmotion is breaking new ground with global stories--and it's seeking freelancers.
After attracting funding on Kickstarter, Newsmotion's early stories are breaking new ground in international reporting.
Case in point: a moving report from inside Homs called "One day with the rebels in Khaldeya, Syria."
In it, Cairo-based photojournalist David Degner gives an on-the-ground report from an embattled suburb cut off from the outside world. In the 15-photo slideshow, haunting music from a recent protest wafts past photos of a luxurious living room defaced with bullet holes, locals rigging up electricity in the street and a wedding singer entertaining children.
While many traditional news outlets use slideshows, audio or videos as extra features alongside a print story, here they are the main course. Other recent stories that show the strength of this format for global reporting include Agata Pietron's "War songs: youth rappers in Eastern Congo," which features a photo essay, text, short documentary and audio track. Also striking is award-winning photographer Kael Alford's "The price of work: Iraqi women in public and private."
Interested in taking part? Founder Julian Rubinstein says Newsmotion will pay for stories that use at least two of the following media: photos, video, audio, text and infographics. The stories should have strong visuals (photos or video) featuring people. Subjects of interest are primarily (but not exclusively) issues such as human rights, natural resources, environment and housing. For now, freelancers can pitch story ideas in English, but French and Spanish versions are coming soon. (The site is also looking for foreign-language editors to field queries and sort feeds.)
The contributions so far were created by seasoned journalists, but Newsmotion plans a civic media platform as well.
"By civic media storytelling, what we hope to do is tell stories that create awareness of issues and strengthen a sense of community among disparate people," Rubinstein says, adding that he hopes the format will evolve into its own short documentary style. Currently in alpha, you can check it out here; the platform will showcase work from official, unofficial (independent) and citizen media.
You can request an invite for the civic media beta here or send story pitches via email: contactATnewsmotion.org