Become an Eyewitness reporter

Apply to become an approved LAS News Eyewitness reporter. Approved reporters can submit named, photo-backed reports that may be considered for payment if an editor approves them.

Please read this first: payment is not guaranteed

Payment is at the editor’s discretion and is not guaranteed. Approval of a report does not by itself create a right to payment unless LAS News has published a fixed rate. Where an editor approves your report, a payment entry is recorded in NGN (Nigerian naira) using an amount set by the editor, usually based on a default rate that may change at any time. We are an early programme: payments are tracked and paid manually, so they may take time. Nothing on this page is a contract of employment, a job offer or a guarantee of income.

How it works

1. Apply below (you must be signed in). Tell us who you are and where you report from.
2. An editor reviews your application and may approve, reject or ask for more information by email.
3. Submit reports from the submission page, choose Display name and tick Submit as an approved reporter. Every report still goes through screening and editor review.
4. If an editor approves a report, an amount is recorded as due to you. You can follow this under My reports & earnings below (pending, approved, paid).
5. Payout details are collected later, one-to-one and securely, after approval. Never put bank, card or ID numbers in this application or in any report.

Rules and ethics

• Report only what you personally witnessed or can properly document. Do not invent, exaggerate or stage anything.
• Photos are required as evidence. Use your own photos or ones you have the right to share. Do not manipulate images.
• A supporting source link is strongly encouraged: reports with a supporting link that checks out can be marked Eyewitness – verified by an editor. Reports with no verification stay labelled unverified, and unverified reports are less likely to be approved for payment.
• Do not put yourself or others in danger to get a story. Nothing is worth your safety.
• Respect people’s privacy and dignity. No personal data of private individuals, no graphic content, no hate, threats or harassment. See the full Eyewitness rules.
• Do not accept or offer money, favours or gifts in exchange for coverage, and tell the editor about any conflict of interest.
• Corrections: if you get something wrong, tell us straight away so we can correct or remove the report.
• Breaking the rules can lead to removal of reports, withheld payment and suspension.

Anonymous reports are not eligible for payment

Payment requires knowing who to pay, so anonymous submissions are never eligible. Anonymous posts continue to work exactly as before: nothing identifying is stored with them (see the privacy note). Only if you apply here and choose to submit a report as an approved reporter, your account is privately linked to that one report in our records, to track payment. That link is never shown publicly.

What we store about reporters

Your application (name or alias, country, short bio, optional links, your account email and a payout-method preference) and the list of reports you chose to submit as a reporter. We do not collect bank details in the application. Payout details will be requested separately if and when a payment is due. Because you may be paid, record-keeping and tax obligations may apply to you and to us; we do not give legal or tax advice, so please check your own position.