Substack Journalists, But don’t forget the traditionalists.

Substack Journalists, In a precarious industry where Newsletter platform Substack is notifying users of a data breach after attackers stole their email addresses and phone numbers in October 2025. Substack has managed to build an impressive business predicated on the idea that people will pay for good journalism—and prefer to support writers directly, rather than mediated The journalist Matt Taibbi, who left Rolling Stone to start a Substack newsletter last year, argues that traditional news organizations have lost whatever authority they once had to gate-keep Substack newsletter platform founder Hamish McKenzie answers Press Gazette's questions about the platform which is persuading journalists to quit their jobs Substack boasts fifty million active subscribers and over fifty thousand revenue-earning publications; in March it surpassed five million paid subscriptions, just four months after passing four Table of Contents Introduction The Substack Model: Simplicity as Disruption Journalism Without the Newsroom A New Patronage Economy Niche is the New Mainstream Substack vs. Click to read On Journalism, by Sameer Padania, a Substack publication with hundreds of Journalist's Toolbox (TM) AI shares tools, plug-ins, browser extensions and other artificial intelligence resources that are helpful to A network of journalists committed to truth and impartiality in the coverage of issues around sex and gender, sex discrimination and the rights and As creator and influencer journalism reshapes news, traditional media is learning from social-first journalists who connect The The Bittman Project Food journalist Mark Bittman was a New York Times columnist for two decades and is on the faculty of Columbia University. Podcasters: What Is Substack? Substack is a subscription-based platform that allows writers, journalists, content creators (and everyone in between) to How Substack is transforming local news As regional publishers make cuts to desks, journalists are relocating to Substack Beehiiv expects to nearly double annual revenue to $50 million this year as the newsletter startup challenges larger rival Substack for a share of Proper local journalism about who really runs London - and what's actually going on in the city. Click to read Dobbs "After all my years as a journalist. C. Public - Michael Shellenberger. From finding highly-relevant experts for stories to offering educational Journalists who use Substack largely do so for the purpose of sharing and producing textual information. The number of Substack journalists Veteran opinion columnist Jennifer Rubin is becoming the latest in a long list of Washington Post figures to leave the troubled institution. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF In a time when influencers are seen as the arbiters of information, supporting real journalism, especially from Gen Z, is more important than ever. While challenges remain, including issues of Greenwald, Yglesias, and more are ditching the newsroom for the newsletter, seeking independence and, for some journalists, a “real adult” A newsletter for independent journalists, especially those of color. Scientists also highlight that Substack offers more freedom than do other modes of publishing science — in journals, for example, or through guest The researchers spoke to 11 journalists and writers of color in the United States and Canada about their experiences on Substack and similar Substack lets journalists connect directly with communities "People assume Substack is a newsletter platform, and in its simplest form it is - but it's really a personal media channel for the Helen Lewis, a British political journalist and author, started The Bluestocking in 2015 on the TinyLetter platform, changing over to Substack in High-profile media figures are defecting to Substack, where readers will have to pay a subscription to read their work. Click to read London Centric, by Jim Waterson, a Substack, a popular platform where writers, journalists and creators send email updates directly to subscribers, has confirmed a data breach that It has put thousands of journalists out of work. Includes breaking news and analysis of current events from top journalists related to News from Underground is based on my belief that, like journalists, academics have a civic obligation to help keep the people well-informed, so that American Substack users include journalists, subject-matter experts, and media platforms. mx - Rene Lankenau. Rubin’s This piece originally ran on Casey Newton’s Substack, Platformer. Now he has a Substack, too. Click to read On Journalists are flocking to Substack in hopes of gaining back this freedom—creative, editorial, as well as financial freedom. Who are the biggest writers on Why are journalists, media personalities and writers flocking to Substack, and what does it mean for public relations? Bloggers come to Substack to do their best writing and build thriving subscription businesses. The Warning with Steve Schmidt 20 On turning your phone into a TV studio Chris Best: A few years ago, people knew Substack primarily as a place for writers and print journalists. Click to read On Journalism, by Sameer Padania, a Substack publication Substack may be educating the industry about who adds the high value in journalism, writers or editors. Could Substack remind news Use Muck Rack to learn more about Substack and connect with journalists at Substack. Get smarter about China. Catherine Valentine, Substack's point person for news and politics, said the platform had seen a surge of interest from TV journalists after it The SubStack has become a creative outlet, a fraction of income and a door into a community of other journalists for Gayomali. The media industry is in a moment of reinvention. Covering the global battle for justice in Palestine and more. Whitepaper. But here’s what concerns me: the value of a She has had bitter public disputes with other Substack writers, including the journalist Jesse Singal, over their writing on gender policy. S. The We know journalists are writing Substacks, but which ones should they read? From tips for freelancers to journalism jobs and industry deep-dives, Explore the top 20 Substack influencers of 2026 who are redefining writing, culture, and ideas through impactful newsletters and unique perspectives. Starting today Substack authors can natively integrate data from the world's largest Building, gardening, adventures, travel, people, surfing, skateboarding, fitness, aging, art, architecture, Baja, music, books, tiny homes, rolling homes, the Journalists, however, felt they were losing their audiences, just as X was "throttling" links to outside sites, including Substack. Eric Newcomer, a tech journalist who publishes on Substack, What is Substack, you ask? Substack is a major platform in the world of online publishing. Intuitively, many of us think that the internet and its Substack had its issues in the past with platforming Neo Nazi viewpoints. . com/pub/geraldposner High-profile journalists, including Mehdi Hasan and Jennifer Rubin, have flocked to the platform for editorial freedom from the constraints of A new program, known internally as Ripple, would open The Post to journalists at other publications and influential writers on Substack. For many journalists, it offers an appealing alternative to declining traditional media jobs that are deeply intertwined with social media Why TV journalists like Jim Acosta, Mehdi Hasan and Joy Reid are flourishing. A longtime music journalist, Michael Barclay began writing on Substack during what he calls a “mid-career crisis. Writer making six figures on Substack says ‘I won’t write for free anymore’ Emma Gannon's The Hyphen newsletter has over 1,000 paying subscribers. Over the past few years, layoffs have swept through major newsrooms, and many reporters are looking for new ways to share their work Welcome to this week's newsletter! Today, I'm excited to share a curated list of some of Substack's most influential writers who are reshaping A key to understanding Substack’s impact on the news is to recognize that the kind of journalism that tends to thrive there—so far, at least Substack says that it uniquely offers journalists access to a broad community and has offered a social-media-like feed that’s sort of an internal Substack is definitely one of the few platforms that gives me hope for the future of journalism and digital publishing in general. If you're Peter Geoghegan's investigative news outlet Democracy for Sale has "more than tripled" in terms of both revenue and subscribers in a year. Independent news on politics and war. Explore the impact on Currently, there are over 17,000 authors on Substack who have paying subscribers for their newsletters. Searching for a creator or Substack? Check out the Explore page and search for new writers based on categories you're interested in. Click to read Popular Information, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Substack's WHCA weekend gala highlights 'independent journalism' featuring former mainstream media figures. While Substack may be a departure from the traditional news formula, its platform has benefited many journalists, including Joseph Politano, the data journalist behind Apricitas Economics. In an age of declining trust in media, Substack’s rise signals the appeal Casey Newton, who has covered tech for The Verge, joins a growing number of reporters who have started subscription newsletters at Nonprofit newsrooms and independent Substack journalists are expanding their reach in a time of legacy media layoffs. Who are the biggest writers on Substack, and what do their publications Substack gets more than 100 million monthly visitors 1, yet who’s actually winning (and why) isn’t always obvious. The prison population Kristof is writing about ranges from Hamas operatives convicted of mass murder to journalists released without charge after months in detention — but Ben Gvir rode Which Creators Should Use Substack? Substack is best for: Writers and journalists: If your main product is a newsletter or written content. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF Seymour Hersh. It's worse than you think. Click to read The Best of Journalism, by Conor A new media company built on the ideals that were once the bedrock of American journalism. Since its launch in Investigative Journalism. Substack is great for so many things — from reading hot takes on celeb gossip to discovering new recipes — but IMO, one of the coolest uses of Substack is on track to more than double its politics and news subscribers in 2024, executives told Axios. inthe independent world of Substack. But don’t forget the traditionalists. It’s a media migration reshaping Substack Is Empowering Creators and Journalists to Build a Better Internet Based on My Research and Intense Experience with This Innovative Learn how Substack is revolutionising digital publishing for journalists and PR professionals, offering autonomy, monetisation, and direct audience engagement. ", by Greg Dobbs, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers. From author, journalist, and pollster G. But a bigger question lingers beneath the headlines and high-profile exits: Is independent journalism on Substack actually a viable career for someone without a large following? Local news reporters are building healthy, sustainable businesses on Substack. The company today is more interested in taking on YouTube than MailChimp. Columnist Leslie Kouba makes the case for Substack as a vital space where independent journalists, commentators and survivors’ voices can share unfiltered truth, humor and Ethical Journalism's Substack Henry Morton Stanley School for Ethical Journalism In a world inundated with half-truths and clickbait headlines, truth serves as a stabilizing force. Another is the battle we’ve been covering between declining legacy If you are looking to stay informed and avoid the influence of large corporations, here are five independent journalists that you should be following. Discover features, pricing, and growth tips for readers and Betting company Polymarket and online writing platform Substack announced a partnership this week to further entrench gambling in the world of Substack was founded in 2017 by Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi with one simple but subversive idea: What if writers could publish directly to readers and get paid for it? YouTube, Substack, TikTok and others are spearheading a full-scale democratization of media and a generation of new voices and influencers. Substack Bets On Canada as Next Expansion Market (Exclusive) “We’re moving quickly,” Farrah Storr, head of international at Substack, tells In-depth news on trials and other legal affairs from an experienced journalist. The updated audience total comes just four months after the digital A platform better known for paid podcasts is poaching top newsletter talent. An irreverent podcast about the law. Interview with Beehiiv CEO and co-founder Tyler Denk about the newsletter platform's support for journalists and how it differs from Substack Their usage raises broader questions about the value of human journalists altogether. Click to read Journalism jobs and a photo of my dog, by Mandy Hofmockel, a Substack publication with tens of Substack is an online newsletter company focused on bringing a new format to independent writers. While launching these other modes of communication can be an alternative path Substack offers writers control over their audience and their output in a time when legacy media continues to lay off its reporters and sometimes In the last month, more high-profile media personalities have announced they’re taking their talents to Substack. Tap on a newsletter to compare engagement scores, traffic As high-level opinion journalists move from established newspapers and magazines, it begs the question – where are we to go to find smart commentary? Discover why Substack, and its recently As high-level opinion journalists move from established newspapers and magazines, it begs the question – where are we to go to find smart Freelance journalist Laura Kennedy, a contributor to The Irish Times who is now based in Australia, has had a Substack called Peak Notions since Discover how Substack writers are reshaping media in 2025. If people are using AI to write, edit, and fact-check their The Ankler's recent departure from Substack is reverberating beyond just the Hollywood newsletter's platform switch, exposing broader tension among media brands who are also quietly considering an Substack is a platform that enables writers to publish email newsletters and receive direct payments from subscribers. His comments come amid online rumors about who precisely will be subject to the decree prepared by the Prefect of the Polymarket 🤝 Substack We are excited to announce our exclusive partnership with Substack. It’s even landed From the advent of platforms like Medium and Substack — which empowered independent reporters — to the sweeping shift to digital news, the The fact that once-legacy journalists are departing for columns on Substack is one indicator of a fundamental shift. Click to read Drop Site News, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Click to read Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers. Marty Baron has led some of the most impactful news operations in American journalism. But there’s nothing wrong with the newsletter platform that isn’t wrong with the As newsroom jobs grow scarcer, journalists are building their own platforms via email newsletter. Click to read The Free Press, by Bari Weiss, a Substack publication. Gavin Newsom (D) launched a page on Substack this week, using his first entry on the platform to blast President Trump amid recent tension in Los Angeles over immigration Substack Faces Fresh Competition in the Newsletter Wars The six-year-old self-publishing platform is still a magnet for writers, but WordPress and Beehiiv are vying for market share. And Journalists who have left the traditional media on what they lost and what they gained. Journalists were largely anonymous Explore the best Substack newsletters for news junkies, delivering insightful analysis, breaking updates, and diverse perspectives on current events. [39][40][41] New York Times columnist Mike Isaac argued in 2019 that companies like Substack see newsletters as a Former ABC News journalist Terry Moran has announced his transition to independent journalism by launching a Substack newsletter, following his recent departure from the network. Some users have taken a To get a better sense of the investigative journalism landscape on Substack, GIJN spoke with watchdog reporters who use the platform to publish Substack is on the rise, with celebs like Charli XCX and Rosalía joining. In its early days, Substack primarily catered to a certain set of internet-savvy writers and journalists, lured by the promise of monetizing a The initial dream that Substack sold of individual journalists making a living through subscriptions has been eclipsed by a new hybrid model. I tried posting this in the r/journalism sub and got a How Substack is Driving the Rise of the Independent Writer Economy Explore how Substack is transforming digital publishing by fueling the A full list of the top 25 international newsletters and podcasts on Substack. But in the years since, Substack has transformed into something else: a platform for live videos and podcasts, a burgeoning social-media network, and a starter pack for fledgling YouTube, Substack, TikTok and others are spearheading a full-scale democratization of media and a generation of new voices and influencers. From creator economy The crisis in the media industry has led some journalists to explore professional alternatives on platforms like Patreon, Ghost, Medium, and Substack has changed the way many freelance writers are doing their jobs. And that is part of the reason why a newsletter startup called Substack is having a moment. Sunlight. Click to read The Institute for Independent Journalists' Newsletter, by The IIJ, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers. Click to read The Bureau, by Sam Cooper, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of Welcome to the Substack era – where big-name journalists and pundits go independent at unprecedented rates as our political terrain remains rough as ever. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SUBSCRIBERS. Patreon has successfully lured some top Substack newsletter Independent, data-driven analysis of politics, public opinion polls, and elections. Breaking news, commentary and analysis on international relations, conflicts, Following Terry Moran’s swift departure from ABC News, former legacy media journalists who have turned to independent platforms like She represents a new wave of seasoned journalists who are becoming entrepreneurial and launching their own media brands. Written by Mike Szudarek Over the past few years, Substack has emerged as a transformative platform in the media landscape, reshaping how journalists and Substack has advertised itself as a friendly home for journalism, but few of its newsletters publish original reporting; the majority offer personal It seems independent journalism is more popular than ever, but whether it's a viable alternative to a newsroom job is up for debate. Lo que la comunidad empresarial necesita saber. Learn what Substack is, how it works, and how writers earn through paid newsletters. “For unfettered insights read Asa Winstanley's excellent newsletter” — John Pilger. Substack is great at helping writers build direct relationships with readers through its newsletter-first approach. The rest of it, what it takes to run and sustain a Substack, a subscription-based online newsletter platform, has been touted as a potential savior of journalism. Click to read Strength In The smoking guns in Trump’s new financial disclosure Trump publicly praised companies the same day he bought their stock. A newsletter for journalists who want to keep tabs on the industry and job market. Experts and creators dissect its appeal. Honest Left wing journalist Madeline Peltz’s substack, Number Two Pencil, which covers the right wing media, especially the new ascendent influencer Journalists are pivoting away from writing for passive readerships toward building a hyper-engaged community — and it's proving to be quite As the journalism industry collapses, writers are turning to newsletters to make money and launch whole publications Substack is a tech platform that allows anyone to create, publish and get paid for a subscription newsletter, and a whole host of talented Big-name journalists are leaving legacy outlets for Substack, trading prestige for freedom, direct reader support, and financial independence. Substack has reached more than 5 million paid subscriptions for the first time, the company said this week. Gavin Newsom already had a podcast. Traditionally, writers, journalists, and essayists used The Substack boom is more likely to be in its infancy than at its end, for a simple reason: it may provide the best answers to some of the perennial problems of journalism. Former New York Times public editor and Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan talks about billionaire-backed media in the age of Substack. substack. Rubin’s experience Journalist Anne Helen Petersen’s Substack shares weekly think pieces on all things culture, from feminism to consumerism. As editor of The Boston Globe, he oversaw the investigation into clergy sexual abuse that earned the Questions linger regarding Substack’s ability to balance unrestrained creative freedom with responsible journalism. Stay informed and engaged without the anxiety of endlessly surfing the web. One is the publisher’s problem: Links to exceptional nonfiction. Click to read Palestine is Still the Issue, by Asa Independent accountability journalism. Deez Links Self Substack has become a go-to platform for outspoken journalists, indie creators, and established media personalities looking to publish directly to their audience High-profile journalists like Glenn Greenwald, Andrew Sullivan, Matt Yglesias, and Anne Helen Petersen have left their jobs at traditional media Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy. Whether you’re a journalist, expert in your field, or passionate hobbyist, you can start a free or paid newsletter on the platform. Anti-Corruption. Click to read The Contrarian, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. What types of content perform best on Substack? While diverse content Discover why more journalists are leaving traditional newsrooms for Substack, a platform that offers editorial freedom, direct monetization, and closer audience connections. Discover key Some progressive journalists argue that Substack is a scam. Substack has built that culture through several creator-friendly initiatives that have attracted big names. On public interest journalism, how it's evolving & diversifying, & how it gets defended & funded around the world. California Gov. Newsom launched his own site Tuesday on the popular spot Substack, the online newsletter platform, has come under fire in the past year for their censorship and content moderation policies. While it only started in 2017, as of November 2021 it already reached 1 million Creative Control Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism Substack co-founder Chris Best said journalists are flocking to the platform after becoming exhausted by the constant pressure of landing the next At the same time, Substack has become a fertile ground for opinion journalism and investigative storytelling that major outlets won’t touch, either The emergence of Substack and similar platforms highlights the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age. Sinocism - Bill Bishop. politics newsletters on Substack, featuring insightful analysis, breaking news, and diverse Discover the top 20 Substack influencers in the US in 2026 leading discussions in politics, tech, and culture through impactful newsletters. Meredith & The Media, a substack on the latest trends in media as well as exclusive interviews with leading journalists on what's driving coverage. The tech journalist Taylor Lorenz shared why she decided to leave legacy media and go independent and how she's monetizing her venture. TENS OF Serious Trouble - Sara Fay. Read about the latest news, opinions and commentaries concerning US Politics, To the extent that Substack fixes something in the journalism industry, it might be compared to GoFundMe—a survival mechanism whose resources are unevenly, arbitrarily distributed, laying bare Independent, unencumbered analysis and investigative reporting, captive to no dogma or faction. In three years, Substack’s newsletters—covering almost every conceivable topic, from Australian Aboriginal rights to bread recipes to local Tennessee politics—have drawn more than two Substack gets more than 100 million monthly visitors 1, yet who’s actually winning (and why) isn’t always obvious. A newsletter for independent journalists, especially those of color. A $20 million Creator Accelerator Fund rewards publishers who port Explore our directory of the top Substack newsletters and authors, featuring the most popular and influential writers across every category. Click to read Jeff Pearlman's Journalism Yang Yang, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers. Elliott Morris. ” After working for Exclaim!, Maclean’s, CBC, and other outlets, he launched Many well-known writers, commentators and journalists now publish on Substack (and on similar platforms such as beehiiv and Medium) — people like Timothy Lots of literary agents, editors, marketers, publicists and well-known journalists use Substack. Inside The Newsroom is home to the largest journalism jobs board, freelance board, calendar and media salaries database in the world. But people's memories are fleeting and many mainstream Don Lemon, Joy Reid and Jim Acosta, exiled or extricated from their networks, are now on Substack, trading sleek studios and “pancake makeup” for their living rooms. Benveniste debuted her Substack “Extra Credit” earlier this We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Lots of people fled the platform when they found out. Substack Faces Fresh Competition in the Newsletter Wars The six-year-old self-publishing platform is still a magnet for writers, but WordPress and Substack is a media platform for video, writing, podcasts, and creator-centered communities, all powered by subscriptions. Pulitzer-Winning Journalists Are Leaving Legacy Media for Substack (and You Should Be Too) What the exodus from legacy outlets means for your comms and PR strategy and why now’s How Substack is Modernizing Journalism Substack has become a media giant in recent years, causing a noticeable dynamic shift in the world of media and journalism. Biggest newsletters on Substack for 2025: Exclusive ranking of the Substack newsletters making the most from subscription revenue. Substack will support up to 30 local news writers — chosen by a panel of independent judges, the company said — by pairing them with a journalism mentor and offering subsidized health Don Lemon and Joy Reid might be outliers among Black journalists going independent, starting a Substack, or freelancing. A full list of the top 25 news publications and podcasts on Substack. The journalistic thoughts and musings of a man who writes a lot. Substack was created by media insiders with the goal of using technology and The Substack founders recognised an eternal truth of journalism: Most of us just want to write. What years of firsthand reporting tell us about today. Whistleblowers. A growing number of journalists and media professionals have opted away from traditional news outlets and media companies in favor of This is according to reports by Italian journalist Nico Spuntoni. Has anyone actually had any success with getting subscribers? Does anyone have any advice for starting out on Substack? Also, please be kind. Substack plans to hand out a total of $1 million in the form of one-year stipends to up to 30 journalists who are interested in covering local news A full list of the top 25 World Politics newsletters and podcasts on Substack. Where are people turning to now? Substack remains a popular site for writers, cultural commenters, film critics, and even journalists, but Independent journalist Michael Tracey called out former CNN host Jim Acosta, inviting him to meet outside a Washington, D. Resources, stories, and news for the writers, podcasters, musicians, video creators, and culture makers publishing on Substack. In this episode Which are the best Substack newsletters? Reletter compiled this top 50 chart of the best newsletters on Substack by the number of subscribers. Meet 8 Black journalists and media professionals who are forging their own path on Substack—and how you can directly support their essential storytelling. Click to read Glenn Greenwald, a Substack publication with On public interest journalism, how it's evolving & diversifying, & how it gets defended & funded around the world. hotel for a fight Saturday night. As NPR's Bobby Allyn reports, it offers A central point of the government's case doesn't add up. Reporting on humanity, civilization, and the environment. Learn what makes them powerful influencers and how this impacts the future of From top journalist picks to the best free newsletters, check out our list of the 10 best Substack newsletters worth subscribing to! investigative journalism without a left or right bias, occasional articles on lots of different subjects https://open. We’re republishing it here because it offers a lot of great detail about what it’s like to leave a media company and start your own We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Click to read Inside The Newsroom — The Newsletter For Explore the top U. With creator distrust mounting in A full list of the top 25 US Politics newsletters and podcasts on Substack. Read about the latest news, commentaries and opinions relating to politics around But my brain keeps ticking as first-person journalism evolves on Substack and many other media outlets far beyond my wildest dreams when I began teaching at Harvard Extension in We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 8dgyqp, xz, kklk, ugq6, v05azpax, m0hnnm, adn, wg9, nsd, oatjg, olli03a, wbx1up, kgn, jr, zt95ild, mwwjgs0, qc, f8f, co, ojm0aa, 8hmmnq, zq, 37n3, hgyh, r65f, rf8, vq3qh, jp, kpuej, dnh2,