ABOUT | WATCH Sussex Network

Real public-interest work

WATCH Sussex is building a small network of voluntary contributors who want practical experience in local accountability journalism, research, photography, video or public-record investigation.

You do not need years of experience. We are especially interested in journalism students, aspiring reporters, researchers, photographers, videographers and residents with strong local knowledge.

WATCH Sussex remains editorially controlled by its existing editorial lead. Contributors do not receive passwords or administrative access to WATCH accounts, email, website systems or private investigation records.

CONTRIBUTOR

Send story leads, photographs, meeting notes, local observations or occasional reporting.

RESEARCHER

Help examine FOI disclosures, council papers, contracts, public registers, datasets and source material.

CORRESPONDENT

With experience, follow a defined WATCH area, public body or accountability beat and submit material for publication.

PHOTO / VIDEO

Document public meetings, developments and local issues where visual evidence helps tell the story.

WHAT YOU COULD WORK ON

Council meetings and scrutiny panels; public spending and procurement; planning and regeneration; elected representatives; promises and delivery; FOI/EIR responses; public consultations; fact-checking; interviews; and evidence-led local stories within the WATCH Sussex remit.

WHAT YOU GET

Practical experience with real public-interest stories, editorial feedback, and—where work meets our standards—publication with an agreed byline. Contributors who prefer not to be publicly named can discuss anonymous attribution with the editor.

Participation does not guarantee publication, employment, payment or future work.

CONTRIBUTOR CODE

Anyone contributing to WATCH Sussex is expected to follow the same standards we apply to our own work:

Accuracy first: check names, dates, figures and quotations. A tip is a lead, not proof.
Evidence: use primary records where available and preserve the source supporting factual claims.
Fairness: distinguish established facts, attributed claims, allegations, opinion and unanswered questions.
Non-party approach: contributors may hold personal political views, but WATCH work must apply the same evidential standard regardless of party or ideology.
Conflicts: disclose personal, political, employment, financial or organisational connections that could reasonably affect a story.
Right of reply: substantial adverse findings are not published without appropriate editorial review and, where required, a meaningful opportunity to respond.
Confidentiality: do not promise source anonymity on behalf of WATCH. Sensitive material must be referred to the editor before any commitment is made.
Representation: contributors must not claim to speak officially for WATCH Sussex unless specifically authorised.
Corrections: suspected errors must be raised promptly so the published record can be corrected where necessary.
Editorial review: all material remains subject to verification, editing and publication decisions by WATCH Sussex.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The initial Contributor Network is for people aged 18 or over. No journalism qualification is required. Reliability, curiosity, fairness and willingness to work from evidence matter more than a polished CV.

WATCH Sussex is a free, voluntary, not-for-profit project. Contributor roles are currently unpaid and should not be represented as employment, work experience guaranteed by an education provider, or a paid journalism position.

INTERESTED?

Email watchsussex@proton.me with a short introduction, the part of Sussex or subject you know best, the type of contribution you are interested in, and—if you have one—a link or example of previous work.

You do not need to send sensitive personal information, identity documents or your home address.

CONTACT WATCH SUSSEX →

CONTRIBUTE