The past few months have been a rocky one for sponsored online content or “advertorials.” Between the Atlantic‘s Scientology dust-up and increasing paid content on websites like Buzzfeed and various outlets within the Gawkwer network, publishers are pushing boundaries and blurring the line between editorial and advertisement.

It’s a sticky subject, for sure, and the centerpiece of a Social Media Week debate in Buzzfeed’s Flatiron District office between Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith and conservative blogger and The Dist Andrew Sullivan. To describe the debate as a blood bath is even a little bit of an understatement, as the two personalities clashed vehemently over the advertorial’s place online — and the effect it has on journalism at large. Here’s a quote from the debate moderator, the Atlantic‘s Derek Thompson, from his write-up of the event: Read more

“With a bold design, eye-catching photography and an editorial voice that’s at once witty and in-the-know, Portland Monthly is our city’s indispensable news, culture and lifestyle magazine,” said managing editor Rachel Ritchie. Every month, the pub delivers a mix of in-depth news stories, provocative essays and essential guides to the best of Portland.

Ritchie said she is always accepting pitches and looking to work with freelancers on intriguing stories in various departments. What’s the secret for getting in with this pub? Ideas that are relevant, well-researched, articulated well and that demonstrate a familiarity with the magazine’s voice and mission. Once a newbie has proven himself, however, editors are more than happy to farm out stories to freelancers whom they’ve developed a strong relationship with.

For more, read How To Pitch: Portland Monthly. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

Unlike most pubs that are cutting down on long-form stories and giving less resources to in-depth reporting, MIT Technology Review remains deeply invested in giving journos the time and space to investigate a bold idea. Editors at the mag are looking to add to their stable of freelancers who generate 75-80 percent of the content in the feature well and reviews sections.

“I would hate to think of a freelancer assuming, ‘Oh, they wouldn’t want that because it’s going to be such a major project to go report,’” said deputy editor Brian Bergstein. Au contraire: With a bimonthly publishing schedule and a budget for deeply reported pieces, that’s exactly what editors want to hear, even if it’ll take four months to investigate. “We want to have the kind of things readers are only going to get here,” he said.

For more info, read How To Pitch: MIT Technology Review. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

Though the regional pub 5280 counts other Denver-based mags as its competition, the book distinguishes itself with artful longform journalism in addition to its service content. Its commitment to editorial excellence has not gone unnoticed: In the past year, the magazine was named a finalist twice by the American Society of Magazine Editors. Editorial director Geoff Van Dyke attributes this to the pub’s editor and publisher Daniel Brogan, saying he has “invested in a solid staff and is willing to invest the time, money and space to deliver quality journalism.”

Writers looking to break in should be aware that the magazine reflects the young, transplant-heavy city it covers. The FOB is a great place for freelancers to start, though editors are open to a smart feature pitch. “There’s a lot more opportunity to pitch online now as we’ve ramped up our Web offerings over the past 18 months,” said Van Dyke.

For more info, read How To Pitch: 5280. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

Sports savvy freelancers who have a knack for multimedia are welcome to pitch their ideas to SI.com, where all sections are open to freelance pitches. Photos, videos and podcasts are all game, and can be pitched separately from the rest of a story.

Executive editor B.J. Schecter advises freelancers to pitch specific angles that “go beyond the action on the field” or explore new or untapped issues. Still, if a writer comes to SI.com with a scoop on a player in a major sport that the site has yet to uncover, Schecter will listen. “Anything that’s a really good story,” he said of the perfect pitch. “If it’s a mainstream thing we haven’t touched on or you have special access. I’m always looking for a good story.”

Get all the details in How To Pitch: SI.com. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]