The Gazette hires first paid team members after election success

In this month’s issue of The Newsroom 📨

• Paid team members at The Gazette
• 2024 general election coverage round-up
• Editorial themes

A boost for community-powered journalism

Less than a year and half ago, The Gazette was launched in Leicester, bringing high-quality local journalism to one of the country's most diverse and vibrant cities. Now, we're excited to announce we are hiring our first paid team members after a successful crowdfunder and matched funding from the Public Interest News Foundation.

Up to this point, the founding team — Emma, Megan, and myself — were volunteers. Only occasionally would we take a freelance wage for events, which often took us away from our day jobs. Outside the core team, we have and will continue to pay a freelance commissioning rate to all our contributors for long-form content.

Emma, previously commissioning editor and events coordinator, will move onto a freelance contract at eight hours per week. Her new position, as editor, will involve writing one original piece of journalism per month, the coordination of our newsletter, the mentoring of the upcoming local journalists, and the editing of stories in collaboration with other team members.

Rhys, previously managing editor and community coordinator, will move onto a part-time fixed-term contract at 21 hours per week. Their new position, as community lead, will involve fundraising, community engagement, project work, and the day-to-day running of the paper.

Both roles are initially for six months, until further funding is secured.

Megan, previously communications coordinator, will remain as a volunteer. Her role will change to communications lead to reflect the evolving nature of The Gazette.