Demo

Watchdog Reporter

Statesman Journal / Gannett
Canton, OH Full Time
POSTED ON 4/13/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/13/2026
|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com

The Canton Repository/CantonRep.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic reporter to become the city of Canton watchdog reporter.

We are not looking for someone to sit in meetings and regurgitate agendas. We are interested in a candidate who enjoys breaking news on the city, being a watchdog and producing exclusive enterprise on topics impacting our Stark County population of 375,000 people.

The ideal candidate will juggle daily assignments along with long-range enterprise. They should look to include real people in their reporting and focus on storytelling.

The ideal candidate should have a digital-first mentality; be able to create videos with their stories; be adept at source development, social media, public records, databases and other digital-focused tools; and be fluent in AP style. The position requires relocation to the Canton region, which is home to national companies and organizations such as Timken Steel, Aultman Health Foundation, Timken, Freshmark and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Responsibilities

  • Leverages community sources, online tools and public records to develop stories.
  • Breaks exclusive stories, and provides thoughtful, fact-based analysis and narrative features.
  • Produces videos.
  • Works toward becoming the community’s leading news voice on city issues.
  • Connects with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.)
  • Collaborates with digital and print production team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos and graphics). Captures basic photos as needed.
  • Contributes to coverage of major events and national projects.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 1-3 years’ reporting/newsroom experience.
  • Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
  • Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Reddit.
  • Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a smartphone.
  • Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
  • Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
  • Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
  • This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
  • Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen, motor vehicle record check and background check.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

  • Your resume – one to two pages.
  • A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
  • Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

#Newsgnt

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

Salary.com Estimation for Watchdog Reporter in Canton, OH
$51,776 to $62,410
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Statesman Journal / Gannett

  • Statesman Journal / Gannett Asbury Park, NJ
  • |Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps| Ganne... more
  • 7 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Watchdog Reporter jobs in the Canton, OH area that may be a better fit.

  • USA TODAY Co. Canton, OH
  • Breaking/Trending Reporter Req #45573 Canton, OH, USA Job Description Posted Friday, April 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM |Current USA TODAY Co. Employees- Please ens... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • Connoisseur Media Canton, OH
  • Are you ready to be part of the heartbeat of Northeast Ohio? Connoisseur Media – Canton, OH , is looking for a dynamic, social media-savvy Producer for WHB... more
  • 21 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!