Pitch A Story To Clown World

What Clown World News Is

ClownWorld.news (CWN) is a small, independent newsroom focused on authoritarianism, far-right movements, disinformation, and the everyday ways democratic rights are eroded. We treat "clown world" as an indictment of abusive power, not as a punchline at the expense of vulnerable people.

We combine reported pieces, deep dives, and analysis to show how laws, platforms, and propaganda are changing the political landscape in the United States and beyond. Our goal is simple: make it harder for bad actors to hide behind memes, brand deals, and technical jargon.

The Stories We Are Looking For

We are looking for contributors who can bring original reporting, clear analysis, and subject-matter expertise. In particular, we are interested in:

• Investigations and explainers on far-right and extremist movements, including their funding, organizing tactics, and legal strategies.
• Platform and media accountability pieces that dig into how social platforms, podcasts, newsletters, and streaming ecosystems amplify hate and disinformation.
• Legal and constitutional analysis around civil rights, voting, immigration, speech, and "law and order" politics, written for a general but serious audience.
• On-the-ground reporting from protests, school board fights, legislative hearings, or community organizing efforts.
• Data-driven stories about algorithmic bias, political ads, monetization schemes, or the economics of influence.
• Historical context pieces that connect current events to past authoritarian projects, without drifting into conspiracy or fatalism.

We are not a general "hot take" site. We are interested in stories that add something concrete to the record: evidence, documents, patterns, receipts.

Who Should Pitch

We welcome pitches from both established and emerging writers, reporters, researchers, and experts. You do not need a traditional journalism background, but you should be able to:

• Work from documents, data, or first-hand reporting, not just vibes.
• Back up claims with links, primary sources, and clear explanations.
• Write in a grounded, accessible way for non-specialist readers.
• Handle topics involving hate, harassment, and violence with care and precision.

We especially encourage pitches from people who are directly affected by the issues we cover, and from writers who are underrepresented in mainstream media.

Editorial Standards

Because we cover extremism and disinformation, we have to be stricter than most about accuracy and framing. By pitching CWN, you agree to:

• Fact-check your work to the best of your ability, and provide sources for key claims.
• Avoid amplifying propaganda for its own sake. Screenshots and quotes should serve a clear purpose, not exist as free promotion.
• Distinguish clearly between reporting, analysis, and opinion in your pitch and your draft.
• Respect privacy and security for vulnerable sources, especially whistleblowers and targets of harassment.
• Reject bigotry on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, or nationality. We critique power, not identities.

What Contributors Can Expect

CWN is an early-stage, independent outlet, but we take contributors seriously. When we accept a piece, you can expect:

• A clear editorial process with feedback on structure, sourcing, and clarity.
• Prominent bylines and short author bios on every piece you publish with us.
• Ongoing collaboration if your work fits well with CWN's mission and you want to become a regular contributor.
• Transparency around where and how your work is promoted across CWN platforms.

How to Pitch ClownWorld.news

Please send a concise pitch rather than a full draft. This helps us work with you on angle, scope, and timing before you invest a lot of work.

Your pitch should include:

• A clear working headline and one or two sentences that explain the core of the story.
• What's new here: documents, data, original reporting, or a framing that is missing elsewhere.
• Your plan for reporting or analysis: who you'll talk to, what you'll review, or how you'll structure the piece.
• Why you: a short note about your experience or connection to the topic.
• Links to past work (articles, threads, reports, or even detailed blog posts are fine).
• Rough word count and timeline for when you could file a first draft.

What Not to Pitch

To save you time (and our inbox), here are the kinds of pitches we are unlikely to accept:

• Pure opinion or short reaction pieces without new reporting or research.
• General "left vs right" culture-war takes with no specific focus or evidence.
• Pieces that primarily promote a brand, campaign, party, or candidate.
• Content that reuses bigoted memes or slurs without a clear, critical purpose and context.
• AI-generated content pitched as if it were original reporting or analysis.

Contributor FAQ

Do I need previous bylines?

No. Previous bylines help us understand your style and strengths, but we care more about your idea, your access, and your ability to work with sources and evidence.

Can I republish my CWN piece elsewhere?

Our default is that pieces are originally published at ClownWorld.news. In your pitch, tell us if you are hoping to cross-post or adapt the work elsewhere so we can discuss it up front.

Can I pitch a series?

Yes. If your idea naturally breaks into multiple parts (for example, a recurring investigation or a thematic series), note that in your pitch. We may start with one installment and expand from there.

Do you accept anonymous or pseudonymous bylines?

In general, no, in some cases, yes—especially for people who face real safety or employment risks. If you need to be anonymous or pseudonymous, say so in your pitch and briefly explain why. We will work with you on safe sourcing and credit where possible.