CKUT is seeking an early-career journalist (0-3 years of experience) to produce original, local, grassroots reporting on civic issues and communities that are under-covered in Montreal’s English-language media. 

This may include: a recent graduate, campus-paper veteran, freelancer just starting out, social video creator, volunteer radio host, or someone with complementary experience in other fields. The position will allow you to grow your reporting skills and gain experience in critical and community-grounded journalism.

The Position

• Title: Journalist
• Term: 1-year contract position
• Salary: $56,000/year
• Ideal Start Date: April-May, 2026
• Expected working hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends

This position is contingent upon funding and Stage 2 project approval by the independent selection committee of the Changing Narratives Fund – Local Journalism Initiative (CNF-LJI) stream, administered by the Community Media Coalition and funded by the Government of Canada. 

Job Requirements

The journalist will produce four stories per week to air on CKUT 90.3 FM. They will create original, local journalism that follows related laws, regulations, conventions and ethics. 

In particular, we’re looking for someone who is…

• A strong writer: You love storytelling – from the initial pitch to the publication
• A confident communicator: You are a great listener, speaker and interviewer
• A go-getter: You’re able to pitch and chase stories every day
• A critical thinker: You find the angle that mainstream media doesn’t
• Deadline-driven: You can break down complex tasks and juggle multiple deadlines
• Detail-oriented: You follow leads, do your research and cite your sources
• Community-oriented: You’re plugged in to what’s going on at the grassroots level

As a requirement of Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) funding, a successful candidate must identify as belonging to one or more of the following CNF priority communities: BIPOC individuals, ethno-religious minorities, those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or people living with disabilities.

Anyone chosen for the journalist position will have to sign an attestation of their belonging to one of these groups for CKUT to be given this funding.

Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) – Local Journalism Initiative Stream

The Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) supports journalists from underrepresented and diverse communities to strengthen civic journalism and ensure that their perspectives are accurately and authentically represented in Canadian media.

How to Apply

If that sounds like you, please apply to hiring@ckut.ca with your resume and a short (maximum one page) letter to help us get to know you and what you’d like to cover.

In your letter, please pitch us:

What’s a story, beat or issue that you believe is being under-covered or misrepresented? How would you approach it differently for CKUT? What perspectives or voices would you prioritize? And what experience or skillset makes you well suited for the task?

CKUT does not allow the use of generative AI tools to write, edit, or produce journalistic content. All reporting and written work must be independently researched and created by the journalist.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. 

Deadline to apply: Thursday, February 19 at 11:59 PM EST

Who We Are

CKUT is a non-profit, campus/community radio station based at McGill University. CKUT’s mandate is to be a “mic for the mic-less” – to provide access to media-making and civic journalism for Montrealers whose needs are not met by mainstream commercial radio.

CKUT’s news department produces critical reporting on stories reflecting power dynamics, major fault lines, and the economic, social and political conflicts that structure society. 

We report on issues including, but not limited to: economic relations and the world of work, social inequalities, environmental justice, democracy, rights and freedoms, the rise of the far right, social movements, etc.

We prioritize the voices and perspectives of people who are marginalized in society.