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i recommend identifying some indie journalists that are local or focus on a subtopic youâre interested in and following them (twitter and bluesky have a lot). just first skim their profile and check the outlets theyâve written for in case there are red flags (i can rec some US ones if u want!)
i also above all recommend finding your nearest newspaper - in the US you usually have some sort of âtribuneâ or other local newspaper. if you arenât in a metropolitan area i recommend additionally following one from your closest metro area (if not, your state capitol).
if you have a local NPR affiliate they are generally reliable and free.
your local news might only be one of those acronym-number tv ones (FOX11, ABC7 etc), but their stories are free, report on a variety of topics, and usually better than CNN imo (**be mindful they still tend to publish random copaganda crime stories)
also, local papers almost always still report out on national news and big international news you also donât even need a paper subscription, a web subscription is typically cheap. usually $10-30 for a year all that said - local newspapers can still be biased, but IMO it can be easier to spot the BS when you know the issues local to you. if you know your mayor has sucked because he is funding a shady project and heâs cutting budgets for something that fixes an important issue in your town, and an article comes out on the issue getting worse but doesnât mention the budget cuts or only quotes the mayor without fact-checking or adding further context â thatâs suspicious and you know to be weary of what else that paper is putting out. but if they do publish a nuanced story with multiple sources, background context, and seems to be fact checked, you can then approach other things they publish with less apprehension. itâs an imperfect litmus test for news
also, local papers almost always still report out on national news and big international news you also donât even need a paper subscription, a web subscription is typically cheap. usually $10-30 for a year all that said - local newspapers can still be biased, but IMO it can be easier to spot the BS when you know the issues local to you. if you know your mayor has sucked because he is funding a shady project and heâs cutting budgets for something that fixes an important issue in your town, and an article comes out on the issue getting worse but doesnât mention the budget cuts or only quotes the mayor without fact-checking or adding further context â thatâs suspicious and you know to be weary of what else that paper is putting out. but if they do publish a nuanced story with multiple sources, background context, and seems to be fact checked, you can then approach other things they publish with less apprehension. itâs an imperfect litmus test for news
Sep 3, 2024
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đdepending on your experience level and writing portfolio, a lot of smaller and independent pubs are fairly accessible for budding music journos. if you have a solid story idea and interest in getting into music journalism, editors will be receptive to that!
for the portfolio part, reviewing local shows or writing short essays and publishing them on a personal blog or substack can be a great starting point.
for publications: iâd reccomend new feeling co-op! Iâve written for them a few times and theyâre so kind & are all about helping new writers find their voice in music journalism.
for publications: iâd reccomend new feeling co-op! Iâve written for them a few times and theyâre so kind & are all about helping new writers find their voice in music journalism.
Feb 8, 2024
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đ°if my bunk ass town has one yours definitely must. that's the #1 place to go if you want to get covered - they're usually starved for content and jump at the chance to cover something local - especially if it's diy and artsy
Sep 7, 2024
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đthe range of news given in newspapers is kind of incredible. there are so many options and you donât have to scroll through the websites and hope to spot something interesting. youâre exposed to news and stories from places you had no idea existed. my only problem with them is that they donât have the whatâs showing in cinemas section anymore.
Top Recs from @marxinista
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đ€being traditionally cool is really quite boring and iterative, and itâs actually very cool and sexy to geek out about something you like or share bits of knowledge on a topic youâre passionate about
Aug 17, 2024
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HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WORKERâS DAY!!!! i love having a union, i love being a union steward and getting to support my unit. when my union won its contract, i got a pay bump, better benefits, and increased protection as a worker. đ„ł
unions help address racial and gender pay gaps, issues workplaces impose on families and those having kids, addressing unsafe conditions, plus things like better health insurance, wages and overtime, weingarten rights to representation, and more!!!
if you donât have a union but are thinking about forming one, check out AFL-CIOâs page (linked) or Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee. thereâs always more power in a union!! âđ„đč
May 1, 2025
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đthey have FREE SHIPPING through Friday (7/8-7/11)
if you are thinking about buying a book online this week, please buy a book there instead of evil amazon dot com. bookshop benefits local indie bookstores! you also can pick which specific bookstore to support and they have many lgbt-, women-, and bipoc-owned shops listed :)
also they now have ebooks and many are on sale, such as Octavia Butlerâs Parable of the Sower + Talents, Margaret Atwoodâs The Testaments, or Talia Lavinâs Wild Faith for under $3 (!) each
Jul 8, 2025