The hottest Journalism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

Everything is broken.

Boiler Room • 176 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. The post highlights that everything is broken and discusses a plan to address it
  2. The author acknowledges starting on a negative note but promises things will improve
  3. The post mentions frustration with the state of local music journalism and gives a nod to Mark Rebillet

So, how's music journalism faring in Australia?

Boiler Room • 98 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎶 Music Journalism
  1. Music journalism in Australia is facing significant challenges and decline.
  2. Journalists in the industry are struggling to find work and many have had to supplement their income in other ways.
  3. The heyday of music journalism in Australia was in the 70s and 80s when it was taken seriously as an art form.

Hello and an Update

Zero Day • 1283 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
📰 News Journalism
  1. Kim Zetter is working on various projects that are taking longer than expected.
  2. She is co-teaching a course about government surveillance and classified leaks at Johns Hopkins SAIS.
  3. Students in the course show a deep understanding of surveillance nuances and the importance of balancing security with civil liberties.

An Epistemic Crisis?

In My Tribe • 1032 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. In an epistemic crisis, it's crucial to be cautious of who you trust for information.
  2. Elite individuals and institutions sometimes spread lies, causing difficulty in discerning the truth.
  3. Encouraging skepticism and demanding transparency from all sources of news and opinion is essential.
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This is what happens if you dare to ask the most gently critical questions about the media and Epstein

Michael Tracey • 86 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. It's important to ask tough questions about major issues like the Epstein case, even if it feels uncomfortable. When people just accept narratives without questioning them, it can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation.
  2. Media figures sometimes have personal connections or biases that can affect their reporting. This can make it hard to trust the facts being presented.
  3. People need to be careful about jumping to conclusions based on victim claims without considering their credibility. It's essential to maintain a balanced view and not blindly support every narrative.

old media vs new model mockery

bad cattitude • 245 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Old media often claims that only they can do real journalism and dismisses new media like bloggers and podcasters. They feel threatened as their traditional control on information is challenged.
  2. A recent interview showcased how traditional journalists might not fact-check properly, leading to humorous and embarrassing situations. This shows that not all media is trustworthy.
  3. Many stories shared by the media can create unnecessary fear and panic, especially during health crises. It's important to question the validity of these narratives and the reasons behind them.

What’s Left of My House

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 227 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
📰 News Journalism
  1. Many houses on the street were completely destroyed by a fire, with only chimneys remaining.
  2. There were no emergency alerts sent out for the fire, which was surprising given how often we get alerts for other situations.
  3. The author, along with their dog, experienced a sense of disbelief and vulnerability during the chaos of the situation.

The influencer holy grail

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 249 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Journalism
  1. Influencers want to create content that mixes cooking, fashion, and home decor. This mix attracts sponsors and gives a chance to sell lots of different products to followers.
  2. Local news is struggling, and a small yearly investment could help fix it. Just a bit of money could ensure every county in the US has a local news journalist.
  3. A newsletter called Sunday Long Read became popular by curating long-form articles. It shows how a focused idea can attract a loyal audience and even expand into new areas like podcasts.

The New York Times

Life in the 21st Century • 157 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. The New York Times has been deeply involved in political fights and often misleads the public.
  2. The rise of broadcast media in the 20th century led to the idea of objective journalism.
  3. The New York Times has been criticized for pushing misleading information regarding important matters like the Iraq war and Russiagate.

Lessons From the End of Newspaper Sports Coverage

Second Rough Draft • 157 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
💼 Business Journalism
  1. Local newspaper sports coverage is ending due to changes in printing locations and earlier press deadlines.
  2. Nationalization of news, including sports, is increasing, impacting local news coverage.
  3. Shifts towards national sports coverage are affecting local publishers and tightening the financial pressure on newspaper publishers.

I’m Begging the Media to Start Unpacking the Word “We”

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Reporters should stop using vague "we" and clearly say which actor is doing something or benefiting — the government, a private company, or ordinary people.
  2. Political rhetoric and friendly coverage often blur governments, companies, and citizens, making it sound like the public will directly gain from deals when usually firms or foreign states do.
  3. Precise language matters for accountability and public understanding, so journalists should unpack who actually acts or profits even if it won’t sway the most partisan audiences.

Jobs and Opps at ITV, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Lead, Sifted.eu, and Many, Many More 🎄

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 119 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
💼 Business Journalism
  1. The newsletter shares job opportunities at various organizations like ITV and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
  2. Encouragement to rest and recharge during the holiday season to improve job application quality.
  3. Updates on a magazine cover reveal and sales initiative for the upcoming yearbook.

who is the media now?

bad cattitude • 239 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Media is changing a lot because regular people can now share news and opinions easily. This means traditional journalists are losing their influence.
  2. Many people don't trust established media anymore. They feel the news isn’t impartial and is often funded by special interest groups.
  3. The conversation about news is more open now, with many voices contributing. This makes it easier to find truth faster than before.

Charles Manson ate here (and I did too)

Situation Normal • 80 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. The Munch Box is a historic burger joint in Chatsworth, California, known for its quirky name and connection to local lore, including Charles Manson.
  2. Despite rumors, there's no solid proof that Manson regularly ate there, but the idea has captured people's imaginations and inspired stories.
  3. The food at The Munch Box is decent, with popular items like the hickory burger and chili cheese fries, making it a fun spot to visit with a bit of history.

Interview with the Previously Prohibited podcast

Karlstack • 91 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Chris Brunet went from being popular in the anti-woke Right to being an outcast for speaking the truth about Israel's support in conservative media.
  2. He recently wrote about new laws that target BDS and free speech, showing a growing trend among some Republicans.
  3. The interview discusses how these changes affect freedom of expression and highlights the challenges faced by journalists.

Journalists and Their Shadows (w/ Patrick Lawrence) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 90 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Mainstream media often serves the interests of the powerful rather than effectively informing the public. This compromises journalism's role in promoting open debate and public understanding.
  2. Journalists today often work under corporate pressures that distort their reporting, making them more likely to follow narratives that align with those in power instead of pursuing objective truth.
  3. Independent media outlets are becoming crucial for the future of journalism. They can provide more accurate information, but they also face increasing challenges and censorship in the digital age.

'Free Julian Assange!' say Latin America's leftist leaders: Lula, AMLO, Petro, Maduro, Ortega, Kirchner, Evo, Zelaya

Geopolitical Economy Report • 219 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Journalism
  1. Latin America's leftist leaders, including Lula and Maduro, are vocally demanding freedom for Julian Assange, highlighting a strong unified support for the persecuted journalist.
  2. These prominent figures emphasize Assange's journalistic contributions and expose concerns about his unfair imprisonment and risk of extradition to the US, where he faces severe charges.
  3. The movement reflects a broader global push for Assange's release, linking it to issues of press freedom, human rights, and government transparency.

The Monday Media Diet with Sophia Smith Galer

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. Sophia curates her news from social media like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, finding content that aligns with her interests.
  2. She enjoys leisurely reading the weekend papers and is a fan of Private Eye, read in a unique way as a family tradition.
  3. Sophia recommends reading Megha Mohan's journalism and mentions Reverso Context as a great language app.

Hunter Biden vs. the drive forensics

Cybersect • 137 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. To take a forensics image of Hunter Biden's laptop drive, a similar model MacBook Pro is needed with a non-standard hard-drive connector.
  2. Experts can provide inaccurate opinions when not directly involved or without thorough research.
  3. Asking techies to comment without detailed work can lead to biased conclusions and contribute to the spread of conspiracy theories.

It’s the First Budget Season of the AI Revolution

Second Rough Draft • 137 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Journalism
  1. The generative AI revolution is considered the biggest turning point in technology since the Nineties with significant implications.
  2. Artificial Intelligence offers cost-saving opportunities but also presents hard choices in terms of reallocating resources.
  3. AI can enhance journalistic capabilities by creating new versions of stories at low costs and opening the door to new audiences.

Thinking About AI and the Business of News

Second Rough Draft • 137 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💼 Business Journalism
  1. It's important for news organizations to ensure they have the right talent to understand and implement AI technology.
  2. News organizations should have a forward-thinking mindset to adapt to technological changes and not resist innovation.
  3. Legal considerations surrounding AI, such as copyrightability and licensing agreements, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of news publishing.

There's Nothing Wrong with Tucker Interviewing Putin. It's Called Journalism.

Public • 521 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Interviewing newsworthy personalities is a part of journalism and shouldn't require an apology.
  2. Criticism of interview questions is fair, but smearing someone for interviewing influential figures hinders journalism principles.
  3. Journalists should strive to interview leaders from all sides of major issues to allow for a broader perspective.

Mexico's President AMLO demands freedom for Julian Assange, 'prisoner of conscience' and 'best journalist of our time'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 22 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Journalism
  1. Mexico's President AMLO is demanding freedom for Julian Assange, calling him the 'prisoner of conscience' and the 'best journalist of our time.'
  2. President AMLO condemned US hypocrisy in the treatment of Assange, questioning principles like democracy and freedom of expression.
  3. AMLO reiterated his commitment to pressuring US President Joe Biden to release Assange, despite Amnesty International's reluctance to call Assange a prisoner of conscience.

Two too many atrocities,...how many more?

History's Parrot • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Journalism
  1. The importance of sharing critical insights and information from independent journalists like Alastair Crooke to combat lies and tyrannies.
  2. The impact of 'win narratives' on empathy, active listening, and communication between states, as highlighted by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
  3. The necessity to reflect on existence and societal decay in current times of turmoil and assault on societal pillars.