Video Journalist (US) - Verify

Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 38896

Job Closing Date: 19th May 2026

Washington, USA, 20036

Job Details

JOB BAND: C

CONTRACT TYPE: 12 months Fixed-term Contract, Full-time. Local hire

DEPARTMENT: BBC News

LOCATION: Washington, USA

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: $75,000 - $85,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to live and work in the US (US citizenship, Green Card or work authorisation).

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC Verify is the home of fact-checking, verification, open-source and data journalism - tackling complex incidents, disinformation, and contested claims.

As a Video Journalist in the Washington DC bureau, you’ll work alongside a Senior Journalist on everything from fact-checking politicians, breaking news in the region and debunking disinformation.

You’ll be responsible for pitching, scripting, producing and editing BBC Verify videos that will be published on the BBC News website and social media accounts.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC Verify plays a key role in tackling the biggest global stories and tries to foster new types of reporting; using technology to dig into complex stories. The team is expanding its presence in the US as part of its efforts to reach a global audience.

We are looking for a creative, self-starting video journalist to produce and edit BBC Verify video content from the DC bureau for social platforms including TikTok and Instagram, as well as the BBC News Channel and website.

You will work closely with a Senior Journalist as part of a small bureau unit, while collaborating with the wider BBC Verify team.

This is a fast paced role where you’ll pitch, script, produce and edit video that makes BBC Verify’s reporting accessible, engaging and trustworthy. You may also help produce TV packages and live hits.

You will bring ideas on how we can experiment with new formats, finding imaginative ways to explain complex stories and help audiences understand the forensic work behind our journalism.

It’s a hands-on role where you’ll need sharp news judgement, strong storytelling skills and the confidence to try new approaches. You’ll be central to showing audiences why they can trust the BBC’s journalism - and how BBC Verify does what it does.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Pitch, research, script and edit engaging video content for BBC Verify under tight deadlines
• Generate and develop original story ideas and distinctive video content
• Actively explore new video formats, techniques and creative approaches to enhance BBC Verify’s transparent journalism
• Work collaboratively between the DC Bureau and the BBC Verify team who are predominantly based in London
• Respond quickly to breaking news
• Use strong visual storytelling to distil complex subjects into accessible, compelling content
• Ensure that the output meets BBC editorial policy standards and can sustain public, legal, political and media scrutiny and will work to support the BBC’s objective to grow the value we deliver to all audiences across the UK and globally.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• A proven track record of producing and editing high-quality video journalism, with a strong digital portfolio
• Advanced proficiency in Final Cut Pro X and experience in fast-turnaround production
• Experience writing, scripting and producing video content for digital platforms and broadcast, including the ability to explain complex or technical information in a clear and accessible way
• Experience in fact-checking and thorough knowledge of US and Canadian politics, economics and social issues, as well as experience of using open-source tools to verify video, stills and audio
• Strong editorial judgement and the ability to make fast, accurate decisions under pressure, with a detailed understanding of impartiality as well as the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and the law in relation to journalism.

DESIRED:

• Experience shooting video, with the ability to self-shoot high-quality footage on location
• Understanding of audience metrics, particularly on social platforms
• Understanding of principles of social media investigation, best practice around identifying and preserving key elements of social media footprint with demonstrable skills in organising and executing the various stages of an OSINT-based investigation
• A positive, proactive approach, with the ability to work both independently as well as part of a team.
• A track record of increasing transparency in our journalism. Showing the audience how we know what we know.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk