Where Independent Journalism Finds New Opportunities
News happens everywhere. What matters is having journalists close enough to report it.
5WH® gives independent journalists a virtual newsroom where they can create and sell content to media houses. Whether you cover politics, business, technology, sports, culture, education, or human-interest stories, your reporting can be offered in the format that works best for the story.
- Create Your Account
- Submit Your Work
- Set Your Price
- Sell & Get Paid
An Online Newsroom for Independent Journalists
Your newsroom does not have to end at the publication you work for.
5WH® gives Freelance Reporters in Illinois a place to put original reporting in front of media buyers beyond their existing network. Stories can be listed in the marketplace, where media houses can discover content, purchase it, or bid when bidding is available.
- Price Your Own Story
- Reach Media Houses
- Collaborate on Projects
What Can You Sell as a News Reporter?
Verified stories, ground reporting, and multimedia packages tailored for newsrooms and procurement teams.
Sell Text News Stories
Submit breaking news, features, investigations, interviews, analysis, profiles, and other original written stories covering Illinois communities, people, businesses, and events.
Sell News Photos
Offer original photographs and photo galleries from political events, human-interest stories, culture, lifestyle, sports, entertainment, and breaking news.
Sell Audio & Podcasts
Submit interviews, sound bites, field recordings, podcasts, and other forms of original audio journalism.
Sell Video Content
Offer raw footage, breaking visuals, interviews, event coverage, on-location reporting, and packaged video reports.
Sell Multimedia Stories
Combine text, photographs, video, audio, graphics, animation, and data into a complete news package for media buyers.
Stories Worth Reporting. Content Worth Selling.
Serving Professional Media Buyers:
Breaking News
Investigations
Interviews & Profiles
Features & Analysis
Photo Stories
Video & Audio
Why Put Your Journalism on 5WH®?
Key performance indicators, ethics auditing, and transparent reporter workflows.
Set Your Price
Decide what you want to charge for your original content and present your work to potential media buyers.
Let Media Houses Bid
Offer eligible stories for bidding and allow interested media buyers to compete for the content when bidding is available.
Work Across Formats
Sell written stories, photographs, video, audio, podcasts, and multimedia packages based on your reporting skills and the needs of the story.
Expand Your Reach
Put your reporting in front of media houses beyond the publications and organizations you already know.
Build Your Presence
Create a professional profile that presents your experience, interests, areas of expertise, and journalism work.
Stay Independent
Build opportunities around your own reporting, ideas, skills, sources, and areas of expertise without limiting your work to one publication.
What Can Freelance Journalists Report?
Content formats and media packages ready for instant integration.
Politics & Public Affairs
Government, elections, policy, political developments, civic issues, public institutions, and stories affecting Illinois communities.
Business & Economy
Companies, entrepreneurs, markets, industries, startups, real estate, manufacturing, and economic developments.
Technology
Innovation, technology companies, artificial intelligence, startups, digital trends, research, and emerging industries.
Sports
Games, athletes, teams, sporting events, interviews, competitions, and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Film, music, theater, art, cultural events, entertainment personalities, festivals, and local creative communities.
Human Interest
People, communities, social issues, unusual events, personal stories, local developments, and stories that deserve a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about commissioning news stories, reporters, and media licensing.
Quick Enquiry & Instant Quote
Fill out the form below and our specialist team will contact you promptly.