Our State of Health: KQED Radio's Search for Citizen Correspondents

May 20, 2010

Health Dialogues, a special series from KQED Public Radio exploring California health care issues, is seeking community voices to chronicle the health of their cities for our new blog, Our State of Health: California Reports. The blog will feature citizen correspondents from across California, filling us in on the latest news and attitudes in health from around the state.

We are currently seeking citizen correspondents - that have little to no prior journalism training - to cover health issues specific to their communities by reporting, writing, and submitting audio, video and photos. The blog will feature in-depth coverage of neighborhoods throughout California – so applicants should be very familiar with the neighborhood beat for which they are applying. We're looking for individuals who are active in their community to be our eyes and ears across the state.  Applicants should have technological skills related to multimedia reporting and blogging, or be willing and able to learn them quickly.

We request that applicants currently live in or near the community that they will cover. We are presently seeking voices from the following communities: 

  • West Oakland, near Port of Oakland, Alameda County
  • Calexico (with access to Mexicali), Imperial County
  • Near Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles County
  • Richmond, Contra Costa County
  • Southside Oroville, Butte County

People with a broad range of experiences are encouraged to apply. Journalism experience is not required, in fact, it is prefered  Correspondents will be given small monthly stipends. Applications can be found online at www.HealthDialogues.org - or just send me a message via Center for Health Journalism Digital.

We have a wonderful network of talented health journalists at Center for Health Journalism Digital, but we aren't seeking professional reporters. I would, however, appreciate any input or references you may have. And please do send this along to colleagues who may be interested in the position.

Thanks, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. :)