Job Announcement Writer (Contract)
About MBN
Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is the premier Arabic-first media organization that connects the Middle East and the United States. The company is in the midst of an exciting digital transformation and looking for energetic and talented people who care about journalism and the Middle East to join us on this journey.
We provide original and indispensable reporting, perspectives and commentary on the Middle East and how America’s engagement impacts the region. MBN delivers content in both Arabic and English across multiple platforms, in formats including written articles, short-form video, newsletters, podcasts, data trackers and social media.
Our target audience is decision-makers, influencers, and residents of key capitals across the Middle East, as well as the next generation of globally engaged, digitally connected youth.
About The Role
The Writer - Digital Platforms supports MBN’s digital journalism by reporting and writing original Arabic-language content for Alhurra.com and other MBN digital platforms. This role focuses primarily on reporting, writing, verification, and contextualized storytelling.
The Writer identifies story ideas, develops sources, verifies information, and produces clear, accurate, and contextualized journalism for Arabic-speaking audiences
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
- Report and write original news stories, features, explainers, and breaking news updates in Arabic for Alhurra.com and MBN digital platforms.
- Identify and pitch original story ideas that provide context, analysis, and added value for MBN’s Arabic-speaking audience.
- Develop and maintain relevant sources within assigned beats, including regional politics, U.S.-MENA relations, economics, security, and social or cultural affairs.
- Write clearly and accurately for Arabic-speaking audiences, using appropriate language, context, tone, and journalistic style.
- Adapt and contextualize stories for MBN’s audience by explaining why developments matter and how they may affect the region.
- Produce content for multiple digital formats, including articles, social media summaries, newsletter copy, and short video scripts.
- Verify claims, facts, sourcing, and attribution before filing content for editorial review.
- File assigned stories within agreed deadlines and communicate proactively about timing, sourcing, or editorial issues.
- Review and incorporate editorial feedback to strengthen accuracy, clarity, structure, and overall quality of the final content.
Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Candidates are required to have:
- Full professional fluency in Arabic, with the ability to produce publishable journalism independently.
- Working proficiency in English, including the ability to read English-language source material and understand editorial direction.
- Minimum of 2 years of reporting or writing experience at a digital, broadcast, or news organization.
- Demonstrated experience producing original reporting or reported analysis.
- Strong knowledge of the Middle East, including political geography, key actors, historical context, and regional developments.
- Ability to write clearly and accurately under deadline pressure.
- Strong verification, sourcing, and attribution skills.
- Familiarity with digital publishing formats, including articles, social media copy, newsletters, and short video scripts.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Experience covering one or more MBN priority markets from within the region.
- Experience writing across multiple formats, including articles, social captions, newsletters, and scripts.
- Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy, regional political transitions, security issues, economics, trade, and social or cultural affairs.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted research or writing tools, with strong editorial judgment regarding appropriate use.
- Experience working with bilingual or regional editorial teams.
MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.
