The hottest Journalism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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What a COVID-19 Food Fight Says About Scientific Discourse

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1089 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🔬 Science Journalism
  1. One strategy in science partisanship is to associate opponents with unpopular political figures to discredit their views without engaging with the substance.
  2. Another strategy is to argue that certain debates are harmful to scientific goals, leading to avoiding critique that might impact funding or research opportunities.
  3. Partisanship in science can also involve associating legitimate arguments with totally unacceptable views, like labeling individuals with terms that discredit their opinions.

Friday brief exclusive: Fire chief candidate under investigation by police watchdog

NN Journal • 178 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📰 News Journalism
  1. The fire chief candidate is under investigation by the police watchdog for behavior during her time as deputy chief constable.
  2. North Northamptonshire Council is facing scrutiny for a planning fiasco involving a warehouse approval mix-up.
  3. A University of Northampton student has been sentenced to prison for the murder of another student during a drug dispute.

3 médias bonus

L'Atelier Galita • 199 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📰 News Journalism
  1. The Media is an alternative cooperative media outlet with a focus on independence, collaboration, and diversity.
  2. The Media faced challenges with funding due to a dysfunctional economic model and a shift towards advertising.
  3. Blast, a media outlet created by a former dissident of The Media, gained more popularity despite both facing similar issues.

We are banning slop from The Dossier

The Dossier • 142 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
📰 News Journalism
  1. The Dossier is committed to removing low-quality or misleading content, referred to as 'slop', from its publication. This is to help readers find valuable and accurate information.
  2. The focus will shift from chasing clicks and analytics to providing meaningful stories and insights that educate and engage readers at a deeper level.
  3. Moving forward, The Dossier aims to be a reliable source for unique knowledge and ideas, ensuring the content is thoughtfully curated for subscribers.
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‘It’s like getting a raise every single day’

Substack • 733 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. Moving to Substack helped Bob earn more money than he did at his old newspaper job. He feels like he's getting a raise every day.
  2. Bob enjoys a closer connection with his audience now. Readers reach out to him with messages and comments, making it more personal.
  3. He believes that Substack is a great place for writers who want to share their honest opinions without the constraints of traditional media.

The collapse of journalism

Trickle-Down Wellness • 157 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📰 News Journalism
  1. Journalism is facing a collapse due to layoffs and shrinking opportunities.
  2. The importance of the 'middle' in journalism for diverse and experimental reporting.
  3. The challenges faced by journalism are not just due to internet shifts, but also C-suite greed.

The Work of the Truth

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 157 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📰 News Journalism
  1. Misinformation online can be rampant and dangerous, especially when created by exploiting the absence of accurate information.
  2. AI-generated content is becoming more prevalent, but it often sacrifices accuracy for speed and efficiency.
  3. Access to reliable information may become a privilege, leading to an information divide between those who can afford it and those who can't.

Why So Many People Told Me To Kill Myself This Weekend

Singal-Minded • 1644 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
📰 News Journalism
  1. The author received harsh and disturbing responses online, including calls to kill themselves, after tweeting about an issue they disagreed with.
  2. There was a situation where a podcast misinterpreted and misrepresented a doctor's recommendation regarding hormone treatment for a transgender individual, leading to a Twitter controversy.
  3. The author faced escalating online harassment and suicide-baiting from certain individuals and their followers, highlighting the toxic nature of social media interactions.

Introducing Geopolitical Economy Report: Multipolarista is evolving

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Journalism
  1. Multipolarista has evolved into Geopolitical Economy Report, a new independent media outlet for original journalism and analysis on international politics and economics.
  2. Geopolitical Economy Report is expanding with new team members and exciting projects planned including a regular show featuring economists like Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai.
  3. Editor-in-chief Ben Norton explains the changes and continuity in a video and podcast available on the platform.

Andrea Long Chu’s ‘New York’ Cover Story About Trans Kids Is, Above All Else, Lazy

Singal-Minded • 941 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. The article discussed critiques about a cover story on trans kids, emphasizing that the argument for everyone to have access to sex-changing medical care was poorly defended and seemed more like trolling than meaningful discourse.
  2. There was criticism of the way the coverage of youth gender medicine was framed as a rights versus medical issue, highlighting that minors' decision-making capacities are different from adults and need to be considered.
  3. The piece also highlighted how the author viewed the anti-trans movement, pointing out that, according to them, the biggest opposition surprisingly came from liberals rather than the expected groups.

Further Confirmation the New York Times Peddles Lies

The DisInformation Chronicle • 355 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Be skeptical of what you read in major media, like the New York Times. It's important to question the facts presented to you.
  2. Some writers may ignore the reality of significant issues, such as inflation, which can lead to misleading conclusions.
  3. It's crucial to look closely at the evidence behind claims, particularly in areas like science and public health, as not all information is based on strong evidence.

Review: "Brandon Sanderson Is Your God" by Wired

coldhealing • 255 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. The article criticizes popular fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson for his perceived lack of depth in his works and personal life.
  2. The Wired article attacks Sanderson's character through ad hominem attacks rather than engaging with his literary merit.
  3. There is a comparison with a YouTube video that provides better journalism and artistic exploration than the Wired article.

On the cesspool of elite journalism

Unreported Truths • 28 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. A prominent political reporter crossed clear ethical lines by having intimate relationships with people she covered, betraying colleagues and sources and harming private individuals.
  2. Her memoir avoids real accountability, leans on celebrity name‑dropping and insider gossip, and comes off as self‑pitying rather than reflective.
  3. The fallout — weak sales, damaged reputation, and job loss — shows how personal misconduct and elite media culture can sink careers and erode trust in journalism.

Grug on diet soda and autism

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1234 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Journalism
  1. Grug organizes ideas about diet soda and autism from news sources to consolidate important information.
  2. Correlation is easy to see but doesn't prove causation, and it's crucial to consider carefully in scientific studies.
  3. The news often emphasizes alarming claims based on research findings, even when the researchers themselves are more cautious.

How much is the news worth?

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Journalism
  1. ChatGPT can be valuable for what it can do and what it knows.
  2. The use of copyrighted content is important for the development and functionality of AI models.
  3. Legal battles over copyrighted material can impact the future development and usage of AI technologies.

Global Media Award Finalist: Inside a month of America's school shootings

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 79 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. The project highlighted the challenges of collecting data on school shootings and the personal stories affected by gun crimes.
  2. The collaboration between The Economist and David Riedman is shedding light on school swatting incidents.
  3. The success of the project demonstrated the effectiveness of combining video reporting, data journalism, and traditional reporting in storytelling.

You Should Know Who’s Funding Your Local Paper

Second Rough Draft • 235 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📰 News Journalism
  1. Nonprofit ownership of local newspapers is beneficial but requires transparency in funding sources.
  2. Transparency in newspaper ownership funding helps maintain trust and credibility in the press.
  3. Disclosing the donors of nonprofit newspaper ownership signals independence and strengthens public confidence.

Images only (#219)

Beck of the Pack • 117 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. Pfizer and Moderna have been under scrutiny for pharmaceutical corruption.
  2. It's important to shed light on other criminal chemical-distribution organizations.
  3. The post contains multiple images related to the topic.

NonZero is Hiring!

Nonzero Newsletter • 327 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Journalism
  1. NonZero is expanding and looking to hire new team members, including a full-time journalist and part-time social media specialist. They want people passionate about important global topics.
  2. The organization aims to cover a wide range of subjects, like technology, psychology, and international relations, to foster collaboration and reduce conflicts. Their mission is about helping people find common ground.
  3. They encourage creative applicants who can bring unique skills to support their mission. If you think you can help, even in ways beyond their listed jobs, they welcome your ideas.

Cathy reads If Anyone Builds It Everyone Dies

Sex and the State • 24 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Journalism
  1. I’m not convinced advanced AI will definitely kill everyone and worry that trying to stop it outright could forfeit huge potential benefits like curing disease and ending scarcity.
  2. Media and tech handling of AI is broken: coverage is shallow and companies are building capabilities faster than they understand them, so better journalism and oversight are needed.
  3. Proposals for a global pause or bans on AI are vague and problematic — it’s unclear who would write or enforce such rules, how to define forbidden "improvements," or whether the push for prohibition is driven by political or financial interests.

How to Better Cover the Crimes of Donald Trump

Second Rough Draft • 216 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. Former President Donald Trump has faced serious accusations and legal issues, such as being branded a sexual abuser and being involved in criminal tax fraud.
  2. Journalists must be vigilant in not becoming desensitized to significant news events, like the need to continuously report on the context and implications of Trump's actions.
  3. Coverage of political figures like Trump should focus on the stakes of their actions rather than simply the odds, ensuring that the public is well-informed for important decisions.

First Floor #192 – Creeping Corporate Influence

First Floor • 196 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎶 Music Journalism
  1. NTS Radio accepted a major investment from Universal Music Group, raising questions about corporate influence in the music industry.
  2. The newsletter addresses a plea for help from a freelancer facing payment issues.
  3. The issue covers a variety of electronic music news, release announcements, and track recommendations from different artists.

Hashtag Genocide

The False Consensus Effect • 118 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism
  1. The author expresses concerns about genocide happening and feels the need to speak out about it even if others are silent.
  2. The post discusses how various entities like Joe Biden, Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff are seen as complicit in genocide.
  3. It highlights the impact of fear and 20-30 years of corporate media propaganda on society's ability to recognize and address genocide.

Turning another page

thegreataffair • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📚 Literature Journalism
  1. The author is reflecting on a new creative phase in her life, feeling the need to break away from previous patterns and explore new ways of storytelling.
  2. She is grappling with the challenges of being a freelancer in the journalism industry, contemplating the balance between passion for writing and the practicalities of making a living.
  3. The author is prioritizing following her heart in her writing endeavors, embracing curiosity and a broader approach to storytelling, even if it means taking risks and stepping outside conventional journalism.

Notes & Links

Kvetch • 24 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Journalism
  1. AI is already reshaping the real economy and offers a huge chance to redesign business models, though current service incentives are often broken and need fixing.
  2. Countries can choose their demographic and strategic paths, so national identity and immigration policy are political choices rather than inevitable fates.
  3. Institutions and leaders are fallible: journalists, bureaucrats, and officials often act from self‑interest or inertia, which breeds mistrust and can let important failures happen; history shows small groups or individuals can make outsized decisions.

Sports Media Literacy: The Eagles Are Clearly Sick of Jalen Hurts

House of Strauss • 28 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Journalism
  1. Sports reporting can sometimes reveal uncomfortable truths that fans and players might not want to acknowledge. It's important to recognize when the media reports something that reflects reality, even if it’s not pleasant.
  2. People often react more strongly to what journalists say than to what is left unsaid. This can lead to denial about situations, as fans hold onto their own beliefs rather than accepting what's being reported.
  3. When teammates don’t openly support a player in a negative situation, it can subtly confirm the tensions that might exist within the team. Observing body language and reactions can tell you a lot about team dynamics.

Amby Burfoot is correct: The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials are both an alluring sporting spectacle and an increasingly obvious waste of America's (admittedly trivial) distance talent

Beck of the Pack • 98 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Journalism
  1. The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials are seen as both captivating and wasteful in terms of American talent.
  2. There are criticisms about the structure and purpose of the U.S. Marathon Trials.
  3. Concerns about inadequacies in sports reporting and the handling of elite running events are highlighted.

Joe's Nerdy Rants #8

Joe Reis • 196 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Journalism
  1. People skills are becoming increasingly important in the tech industry.
  2. Technical skills are essential, but communication and empathy separate individuals for career success.
  3. Businesses are shifting towards paying tech vendors based on outcomes, emphasizing accountability.

The A.I.-generated journalism abomination

What's Left • 196 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Journalism
  1. AI-generated journalism can undermine the quality of information and journalism standards.
  2. Media companies using AI for content creation may prioritize profit over providing value to readers.
  3. AI can assist in research and writing, but should not replace human judgment and ethics in journalism.