Recently, Jim Acosta made a very dramatic, public, and messy resignation from CNN because he felt that the network was trying to diminish criticism of Trump. He immediately started a Substack, The Jim Acosta Show, joining a wave of journalists transitioning from for-profit media to independent platforms. This trend raises two significant problems in our media landscape. This trend raises two significant problems in our media landscape.

The Rise of the Independent Journalist

First, we face a further Balkanization of our media environment. We’ve gone from a few broadcast networks to a chaotic mix of cable news and countless independent content creators. The sheer volume of information is overwhelming, with many creators repackaging others’ content with their own spins. Right now we live in the screaming buzzsaw of media white noise with every creator on the planet screaming, “Pay attention to me!” like a common product representative in a Far East Asian grocery story chain (It’s a thing, and, believe me, it’s not pleasant).

Supporting Independent Journalism with Subscriptions and Donations

The other problem with it all is that every independent journalist now wants YOU to subscribe to their site! I know, I know, Ye Olde Blogge is out there doing the exact same thing, so hypocrisy for thee but not upon me, or whatever the snarky pithy adaptation of that phrase would be. Seriously, if you’re reading this (a) I’m grateful, (b) you’ve already made some of your media choices. and (c) maybe you should be questioning some of your life choices right about now. I mean, really, this is how you’re choosing to spend your time? Is Ye Olde Blogge or any other media platform really worth your attention?

With Trump ripping the government and our international alliances apart like a common Texas Chainsaw Massacrer, everyone feels the self-righteous resistance urge welling up in their breasts like we’re at the Parisian barricades circa 1789 boldly defiant and shouting liberté, égalité, fraternité like they’re the vocal component to a DnD spell or a modern meme, take your pick really, whatever works best for you. What’s easier than paying somebody else to do all the difficult thinking and information sourcing bits so you can feel smug as you post your memes and links to THEIR WORK on your social media while sipping your five-dollar latte at Starbucks? That’s part of the revolution, too, right? Or maybe you do need your own Substack…

I know my social media feed is chock-a-block full of every sibling and their pet monkey flogging their own material searching for elusive readers. I mean, no one really even wants readers, do they? They just want a click, a like, and a share. Is that so much to ask for in the solidarity of the revolution? Can’t you just click on the link to Ye Olde Blogge, give it a like, and share it on your social media?

Comment on This: Who do you Subscribe to?

Okay, we’re getting a bit far removed from the thesis statement, so how ’bout we conclude with Comment on this: What or who do you subscribe to? We all have limited subscription dollars, and as much as I love Joyce Vance, the #SistersInLaw podcast, and Joy Reid, ain’t any of them really need your money; they’re set for life at this point. However, there are countless organizations and individuals out there whose vital work depends on our contributions. So, who do you support with your subscriptions and donations and who do your recommend supporting? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Image Attribution

This image was found on Honest Reporting‘s Flickr account using a DuckDuckGo Creative Commons License search