National Reporter, Hinduism

National Reporter, Hinduism 

Religion News Service is looking for a curious, enterprising journalist to serve as a National Reporter, leading coverage of Hinduism in America and the North American Hindu diaspora. This is an opportunity to build a distinctive beat, cultivate new voices and help a broad audience understand the people, institutions and ideas shaping contemporary Hindu life. 

About Religion News Service (RNS) 

Religion News Service is the leading independent nonprofit newsroom covering one of the most influential and misunderstood forces shaping our world today: religion. 

We cover the intersection of faith, politics, race, immigration, education, culture, technology and global affairs with rigor, nuance and urgency. Our journalism helps audiences better understand the forces shaping public life — and one another. 

RNS is not a religious organization. We are an independent newsroom committed to truthful, fair and deeply informed journalism. 

As the media landscape rapidly evolves, we are investing in new ways to reach audiences directly, build loyalty, and ensure our journalism remains impactful across platforms and generations. 

The Opportunity 

As RNS’s National Reporter, you will report breaking news and develop ambitious enterprise stories about the diverse expressions of Hinduism. Your coverage may take readers inside temples and community organizations, introduce them to religious leaders and spiritual movements, and examine how Hindu traditions intersect with politics, culture, education, immigration, interfaith relations and daily life. 

Your reporting will also occasionally cover other South Asian religions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam, expanding RNS coverage of the Hindu and South Asian diasporas and helping readers better understand the experiences, perspectives and religious lives of these communities in North America. 

We are looking for a reporter who can take ownership of the beat, spot stories others may miss and translate complex developments into clear, compelling journalism for a general-interest audience. Alongside your Hinduism coverage, you will contribute to broader religion and spirituality reporting as news demands. 

What You'll Do 

• Build a strong network of sources across Hindu communities, institutions, temples, academic circles and community organizations. 
• Break news and produce thoughtful enterprise reporting on Hinduism and the South Asian diaspora in North America. 
• Pitch timely, original stories that connect religion to culture, politics and public life. 
• Turn daily developments and data into reporting that offers context, depth and insight. 
• Collaborate with RNS editors and reporters on breaking news and larger coverage efforts. 
• Report both on the ground and remotely, with occasional travel. 
• Translate reporting into social media videos and NPR audio as required. 

What You'll Bring 

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or equivalent required. 
• Either one to three years of applicable journalistic experience required or a master’s degree in journalism 
• Familiarity with South Asian communities, the North American Hindu diaspora, South Asian religions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Hindu traditions, practices, history and contemporary issues. 
• The judgment, initiative and organization to manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines. 

 Nice-to-Haves 

• Experience covering religion, culture, immigration, ethnicity or related topics. 
• Ability to build sources across a diverse range of religious, academic and community organizations. 
• Ability to shoot and edit video, write audio and video scripts and appear on video for social media. 

 Why This Role 

This role offers the chance to establish an important national and international reporting beat, deepen public understanding of Hindu communities and produce journalism that moves beyond broad labels to capture the complexity of lived religion. If you are energized by original reporting, source building and stories at the intersection of faith and public life, we want to hear from you. 

Compensation and Benefits 

• Salary Range: $65,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience. 
• Remote-first culture with flexible work environment 
• This position is classified as exempt under applicable wage and hour laws and is not eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable laws. 
• Benefits include health, dental, vision, disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, cell phone reimbursement, professional development support, laptop provided, and generous PTO, subject to plan and policy terms.  
• Occasional travel for reporting, team meetings and industry events. 

How to Apply 

Click here to apply. Please submit a resume, a cover letter describing your interest in the beat, and three relevant work samples. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

RNS is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable laws.