The New Humanitarian (TNH) is inviting journalists, freelancers, researchers, subject-matter experts, and storytellers to submit original story ideas with a strong humanitarian angle. The independent publication focuses on conflicts, disasters, displacement, climate-related crises, aid policy, accountability, and the experiences of communities affected by humanitarian emergencies. For prospective contributors, the opportunity offers a route to pitch original reporting, analysis, opinion, investigations, photography, first-person accounts, interviews, podcasts, and other forms of storytelling. However, TNH has specific expectations around originality, humanitarian relevance, reporting access, and the use of artificial intelligence. What Stories Does The New Humanitarian Cover? TNH looks for original, underreported, and impactful stories that challenge conventional narratives about humanitarian crises, aid, and affected communities. Its coverage extends beyond immediate emergencies to examine the structural causes and long-term consequences of crises. Potential topics include crisis prevention and response, climate change, inequality, migration, refugee issues, disease outbreaks, aid financing, humanitarian policy, accountability, technology and data, and the experiences of women, girls, minorities, and other marginalised groups. The publication also places strong emphasis on decolonised humanitarian journalism. This includes centring people as human beings rather than simply victims, questioning Western-dominated narratives, examining power structures and colonial legacies, avoiding extractive reporting practices, and recognising the contributions of local communities and other reporting participants. Who Can Pitch? TNH’s pitching guidance is aimed at people who can bring strong reporting, lived experience, specialist knowledge, or meaningful access to a story. A successful pitch should demonstrate not only that an issue is important, but also why the proposed story offers something new. Contributors working in conflict zones or on politically sensitive subjects should also consider safety and reporting risks. TNH says it conducts thorough risk assessments for high-risk assignments and lighter reviews for freelancers reporting from their usual place of residence. Story Types and Formats TNH accepts a broad range of formats. News and news features: News stories are normally under 1,000 words and should address a new development or provide a strong humanitarian angle that adds value beyond existing coverage. News features are generally 1,200–1,400 words and can provide deeper, on-the-ground reporting. Analysis: Analysis pieces generally run 1,200–1,400 words or longer for more in-depth work. They should provide context, explain why an issue matters, identify who is affected, and incorporate diverse and local perspectives while remaining fact-based. Opinion: Opinion pieces are approximately 800 words and should offer original commentary or a call to action based on lived experience or subject-matter expertise. TNH looks for provocative ideas that encourage readers to think differently about an issue. Investigations: Investigative projects seek to uncover new or concealed information and can run 2,000 words or more. First-person stories: These generally run 1,000–1,200 words and should provide a personal, conversational account of an on-the-ground humanitarian situation. Other formats include photo features, interviews, podcasts, maps, infographics, data visualisations, cultural essays, poetry, films, and art-related stories connected to humanitarian coverage. What Should a Pitch Include? TNH recommends that a strong pitch contain five key elements: a working headline and short story summary; an explanation of why the story matters and its humanitarian relevance; the unique angle being proposed; details about potential interviewees and any unique access; and a risk assessment where relevant. The publication also makes an important distinction concerning how pitches should be prepared. TNH says it wants to hear directly from the writer and explicitly asks prospective contributors not to use AI to make their pitches. Writers should therefore develop and submit their pitches in their own voice and experience. Who Should Pitches Be Sent To? TNH has editors and producers with different regional and thematic responsibilities. For Africa, pitches can be directed to Philip Kleinfeld, who covers Africa as well as conflict and peacebuilding, or Obi Anyadike, who focuses on Africa Partnerships. Other editors cover specific regions and themes, including Ali Latifi for Asia and the Pacific and humanitarian culture and film; Annie Slemrod for the Middle East and North Africa, special projects and participatory journalism; Daniela Mohor for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Eric Reidy for migration, Palestine and Ukraine. The team also includes Irwin Loy for aid policy, William Worley for aid policy and the climate crisis, Patrick Gathara for media ethics, Jacob Goldberg for investigations, and Freddie Boswell and Melissa Fundira for podcasts. Pay Rates for Contributors The New Humanitarian currently states that its standard rate for text stories is US$0.40 per published word, while images are paid at US$40 per image. For extensive projects, TNH may negotiate lump sums or day rates. The organisation may also cover some expenses when possible, particularly where travel is required for TNH reporting. Audiovisual rates vary according to the project and should be discussed directly with the commissioning editor. TNH notes that it is a small nonprofit organisation with limited financial resources. How to Approach the Opportunity Prospective contributors should begin by identifying a humanitarian story that is original, underreported, relevant, and capable of adding meaningful context or new perspectives. The pitch should clearly explain the story’s significance, reporting plan, sources, access, and risks. Most importantly, writers should pay close attention to TNH’s explicit AI-pitch restriction. While the publication welcomes diverse forms of expertise and storytelling, it specifically asks contributors not to use AI to create their pitches. Writers should therefore submit ideas in their own words and voice. FIND OUT MORE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel GSO Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the offering organisation. This article is provided for informational purposes based on publicly available information from The New Humanitarian. Prospective contributors should verify the latest requirements, editorial contacts, formats, rates, and submission guidance directly with The New Humanitarian before pitching. Do not send applications or pitches to GSO. TO JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL CLICK HERE