ChulaVista.com is building a community-powered local publication. We want residents, students, neighborhood leaders, local experts, photographers, business owners and people with first-hand knowledge of Chula Vista to help us tell the city’s story.
You do not need to be a professional journalist to contribute. You do need to be accurate, transparent, fair and willing to work with an editor.
What we are looking for
- Local news and neighborhood developments
- New business openings and closings
- Restaurants, arts, culture and community events
- Schools, student life and youth activities
- Transportation, housing, public spaces and infrastructure
- Profiles of interesting people doing useful work in Chula Vista
- Sports, recreation and local clubs
- First-person perspectives clearly labeled as commentary
- Photos, tips, documents and leads that may help our editors report a story
What contributors receive
Our goal is to make participation valuable to the contributor as well as to the community. Approved contributors may receive a public author profile, bylines, a portfolio of published work, editorial feedback and recognition for meaningful contributions.
For students, this can become a body of real published work that can be referenced in applications, portfolios, resumes and interviews.
How the process works
- Pitch an idea, submit a tip, or apply to become a contributor.
- An editor reviews the subject for local relevance, conflicts and sourcing needs.
- You prepare the article, photos or reporting materials.
- An editor may ask questions, request sourcing, make edits or fact-check key claims.
- Approved work is published with appropriate attribution and labeling.
- If a material error is found later, we correct it transparently.
Our basic rules
Contributors must not knowingly publish false information, plagiarize another person’s work, fabricate quotes, hide a material financial relationship, impersonate someone else, or use ChulaVista.com to settle a private grievance while presenting it as news.
Businesses and organizations are welcome to provide information, but promotional material is not automatically editorial coverage. Sponsored or paid material must be clearly identified as such.
AI tools
AI may be used to assist with research organization, transcription, editing or drafting, but it may not replace verification. Contributors remain responsible for every factual claim submitted under their name. See our AI Use & Technology Policy for details.
Editorial independence
Publication is never guaranteed. ChulaVista.com may edit, decline, delay, update or remove material when necessary for accuracy, legality, safety, relevance or editorial quality.
We especially encourage contributors who know parts of Chula Vista that are underrepresented in traditional media. The objective is simple: build a publication that knows the community because the community participates in it.
Interested in contributing? Use our Contact page and identify your message as a contributor inquiry, story pitch, student opportunity or community editor interest.