WhyNot Newsroom Journalist Applications
The WhyNot Newsroom is a youth-centred journalism and publishing initiative developed by WhyNot, a storytelling platform founded by the The Y in Australia. The Newsroom is designed to support emerging and early-career journalists who are interested in using reporting and storytelling to unpack social, political and cultural issues affecting young people, with a strong emphasis on lived experience, ethical practice and solutions-focused journalism.
As a WhyNot Journalist, participants join a growing newsroom of young contributors producing articles that explore what is happening, why it matters, and how systems can change. The role goes beyond opinion writing or personal essays. Journalists are supported to develop clear, well-researched stories that combine factual reporting with youth perspectives often missing from mainstream media. Content may address topics such as education, inequality, climate, mental health, democracy, or other issues relevant to young people’s lives.
The Newsroom operates in close collaboration with the WhyNot Editorial Team and is supported by experienced editors who prioritise inclusive, trauma-aware and safe storytelling practices. Journalists work on a flexible, project-based basis, contributing pieces aligned with their interests and capacity, with an average time commitment of approximately 3–6 hours per month. As the Newsroom grows, there are opportunities for paid commissioned work.
The intended outcomes of the WhyNot Newsroom are to strengthen youth participation in public discourse, build practical journalism skills, and ensure young people are represented as informed contributors to conversations about the systems and decisions shaping their futures.
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Application deadline
Applications close on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
Start date
Onboarding timing is determined following application review and acceptance.
Duration
Ongoing, project-based involvement.
No fixed end date specified by the organisation.
Time commitment
Approximately 3–6 hours per month on average.
Commitment varies depending on projects, articles, and newsroom needs.
Format of engagement
Flexible, contribution-based participation.
Journalists contribute articles on a per-project or per-piece basis.
Paid work
Opportunities for paid commissioned pieces may be available as the Newsroom grows.
Payment is not guaranteed for all contributions.
Repetition
The WhyNot Newsroom is an ongoing, recurring initiative, with applications opening periodically as the newsroom expands.
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Applicant status
Open to emerging and early-career journalists.
Applicants may be students, recent graduates, early-career professionals, or independent writers.
Age requirements
Intended for young people.
No specific age range is explicitly stated by the organisation.
Location or citizenship
Open to applicants based in Australia.
No citizenship or visa restrictions are specified.
Field or background
Applicants should have an interest in journalism, storytelling, media, or communications.
Prior professional journalism experience is not required.
Applicants should demonstrate alignment with youth-centred, ethical and inclusive storytelling.
Skills and experience
Ability to write clearly and thoughtfully for a public audience.
Interest in reporting on issues affecting young people, including systems, policy, culture or lived experience.
Willingness to work collaboratively with editors and respond to feedback.
Language requirements
Strong written English skills are required, as all content is produced in English.
Other conditions
Applicants must have the capacity to contribute on a flexible, project-based basis.
Contributors must be willing to follow editorial guidelines and ethical standards set by WhyNot and its parent organisation, The Y in Australia.
Availability to contribute approximately 3–6 hours per month is expected on average.