FAQs

Over the years, we have honed our unique approach to covering global issues and major news events taking place anywhere in the world, through the people who experience them.

The idea is simple:

The aim of our approach is to put the focus squarely on what matters the most – the compelling human experiences of people who have been confronted and personally affected by newsworthy events.

The strongest stories combine three things:

The event provides the news. The person provides the story.

We have a running list of Potential Interview Subjects based on major news stories that will give you an idea of what we are looking for. The Editor’s Brief included with each story listed outlines specific assignments. You are of course welcome to propose topics and interview subjects independent of those listed, provided the event is truthful, involves a real person, and has been reported by credible media.

Good examples could involve conflict, migration, natural disasters, climate change, human rights, health, social change, extraordinary acts of courage, survival or other events. The strongest pitches sell us on the proposed interviewee’s experience, not simply a topic.

Orato First-Person News stories can be told in many different ways – photo stories, videos, graphics. Let us know how you envision telling the story!

First, identify and verify an individual who directly experienced a reported newsworthy event and has a harrowing and compelling story to tell.

A strong interview subject has directly experienced the event at the center of the story and can provide a meaningful and compelling first-hand account.

They may be an eyewitness, survivor, victim, first responder, whistleblower, activist, changemaker, or someone whose life has been significantly affected by a newsworthy event.

Before pitching, contributors should verify the person’s identity and connection to the event and have a preliminary conversation with them to understand their experience.

Be prepared to explain:

A winning pitch should go well beyond merely mentioning an event or topic – it should sell us on why the proposed interview subject’s personal experience is worth sharing with our readers. Be creative. Think outside the box. Tell the story you want to tell. But get across why you think this person’s story is the best story.

Now you are ready to Submit a Pitch.

You can expect a thorough and rigorous editing process. Our approach to story writing might be different, but we abide by the highest journalistic standards. Our commitment to accuracy, fairness, transparency, and responsible journalism is central to everything we publish.

Your submitted piece will be accompanied by supporting materials that help us verify the interview subject’s story and which can also be used for social-media products. This includes complete audio/video recordings of the interview, relevant photographs and video related to the event, and supporting material.

Professional journalism or writing experience is valuable, but a particular job title or career path is not what makes a great Orato contributor.

We look for people who can interview sensitively, report accurately, verify information, write clearly, and work constructively with editors.

Experience interviewing people about difficult or sensitive subjects is particularly valuable.

An Orato First-Person News journalist interviews each individual in their own domestic language. Texts are either written in English directly by the writer or arrangements are made for translators to enter the editorial process.

We publish in English and Spanish, but work with writers from all over the world. Let us know what language you feel most comfortable writing in, and we will find a way if the pitch is approved.

Yes.

Orato is building a global network of contributors and first-person sources. We welcome story ideas from communities and countries around the world, particularly stories that can bring readers close to important events through people who experienced them directly.

We offer highly competitive freelance rates that reward experience and exclusivity. Additional incentives are offered for strong multimedia material, timely delivery, and other elements that increase the value of a story.

When an assignment is commissioned, compensation and expectations will be discussed with the contributor before the work proceeds.