Journalism is in big trouble.

And these publications need reader support.

Hi, friends.

You’re hearing from me twice this week because I think this is really important.

(But heads up, today’s newsletter does not come with the inspiration and sparkly hopefulness I’m really trying to focus on here. If you’re feeling down today, maybe save this one for later. And I’ll be back on Wednesday with the usual!)

If you haven’t subscribed, click that button so you don’t miss out:

You may have noticed that a bunch of online magazines have dropped their paywalls and subscription fees to offer access to the information everyone needs about COVID-19. (Because journalism! It’s important!) Some others are going free to provide the pure escape of storytelling. At the same time, most publications are struggling. Especially the smaller, local ones. Advertisers have made a swift exit as the economy goes down the toilet, and it’s forcing magazines, newspapers, and online outlets to cut freelancer budgets, lay off staff, or shut down completely.

The Portland Mercury seized print operations almost as soon as bars and restaurants closed. The Stranger, in Seattle, laid off 18 employees and stopped printing. Vice cut salaries for top earning employees. Sports Illustrated laid off 6% of their staff. Bustle Digital shutdown The Outline and laid off 24 staffers.

So while more people than ever are reading news and stories, publishers are collapsing and writers are losing work.

And that is really scary. Not just because we depend on these publications for our livelihood. But because truth and information and honest perspectives are paramount right now. And we’re losing more and more with each shuttered alt-weekly, each killed article, each laid off reporter. We’re losing voices. We’re losing stories. We’re losing the power of the press to hold our government and corporations accountable.

From the Guardian:

Here’s one personal example:

I’ve been following the controversy surrounding the Jordan Cove LNG pipeline for months. There’s a proposal to build a natural gas terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon and a 200+ mile liquefied natural gas pipeline across the southwest corner of the state. The federal government just gave it a thumbs up, despite Oregon having denied all three state permits. Meanwhile, landowners, indigenous communities, and environmentalists have been fighting this thing for over a decade. I was meant to be covering that story, but it was cut by a publication whose freelance budget no longer exists. That’s personally frustrating, but more importantly, it’s a missed opportunity to shed light on an urgent issue.

So. This sucks for all of us. I know as writers, most of us are not rolling in dough we can use to prop up the industry that employs us. But even just for awareness, I wanted to pull together this list of publications that need reader support right now. (This is a short sampling, but there are SO many more.)

If you’re a writer who is seriously struggling—do not feel like you should be giving your money to organizations that can’t afford to hire you. There are ways to help without spending. Share their articles on social media. READ them. Write about them. Share this list with your friends who still have jobs. Ask people to subscribe to your local newspaper for your birthday. Anything you can do to encourage those who can to PAY for journalism right now is worth a try.

And if you know of a pub that’s struggling, please email me, and I’ll add it here.

britany.robinson@gmail.com

These Publications Need Reader Support

Bitch Media

“Witty, fearless, feminist critique” is something we could all use more of, and Bitch Magazine delivers. Subscribe to their print issue so you can get off the screens and curl up with some quality feminist journalism. You can also support them by purchasing some cool swag or by donating.

Read: Protecting Voting Rights for Trans People is a Must For Us All

Heated

Heated is a newsletter by environmental journalist Emily Atkin. She’s been covering the climate crisis since 2013, and her fearless and dedicated approach to independent journalism is now exposing truths and stories that mainstream media just doesn’t touch. It’s my favorite place for thoughtful (sometimes scorching) commentary on climate change, climate justice, and all the ways the powerful ones are wronging us. She’s also producing a fascinating podcast right now on the links between COVID-19 and climate change. I can’t imagine how she pulled that project together so quickly, but I do know she relies on paying subscribers to fund her hard work.

Read: Do We Live in an Actual Dumpster Now?

Listen: COVID-19 is Ravaging Environmental Justice Communities

Mongabay

This nonprofit online publication covers important environmental issues around the globe. By donating to Mongabay, you’re supporting journalists who are covering climate change research and important news about the health of our planet.

Read: Great Barrier Reef Suffers Biggest Bleaching Event Yet

Mother Jones

Mother Jones is an unapologetic example of hard-hitting journalism that covers breaking stories with thoughtful analysis and deep reporting. Their newsroom is independent from corporate dollars, supported entirely by readers. You can support this iconic publication through a donation or a subscription to their print edition.

Read: There’s a Link to Environmental Hazards and the Most Severe Outcomes of Coronavirus.

Aeon

Oh my goodness I love Aeon so much. Their meandering explorations of seemingly simple universal topics will make you feel smart and curious and dying to dig further. It’s really good stuff. The only down side is they don’t accept unsolicited pitches, and I really wish I could write for them. But sigh… the academics, researchers, and scientists they commission for stories are real good. And you can donate to help them pay those people.

Read: Time Alone (Chosen or Not) Can Be a Chance to Hit The Reset Button

Sisu Magazine

This is a different kind of outdoor magazine. It’s not about pro-athletes bagging the biggest peaks or the latest overpriced gear. Sisu is a women-owned and beautifully inclusive print magazine that covers the outdoors with creative and nuanced perspectives.

Read: The Celeste Barber of Cycling

Autostraddle

Queer, feminist journalism? Yes, please. “Autostraddle is more than a website; it's a community, a library of information for LGBTQ women and non-binary people at every stage in their queer lives, a place that on its best days can feel like home.” It’s especially important to support journalism that lifts up marginalized communities, including the queer community, who are always hit harder in times of crisis. Autostraddle is also a great example of a publication supporting its writers during crisis. They’re offering more flexible work hours and extra paid sick leave to their staff, and increasing their article rates during this time.

Read: This Business of Art

Skift

Skift is a travel industry news site, so they’re presumably getting hit extra hard right now—what with no one being able to travel for the foreseeable future. If you’re a travel writer, Skift is a great resource for keeping your finger on the pulse of industry trends and news hooks for all your “travel later” pitches. (And yes! Travel writing will survive this! We’ll talk about that more on Wednesday.)

Read: What Travel Companies Will Need to Know About Consumer Mindset Post Crisis

Imbibe Magazine

The service industry is in big trouble, and we all miss sitting at our favorite bars and coffee shops. Imbibe Magazine helps with both of these issues. They offer lots of bar-worthy, at-home cocktail recipes. And they’re donating $5 of every subscription to The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation Covid-19 Relief Fund.

Read: How to Bring Your Favorite Bar’s Vibes Home and Support Them With Your Next Virtual Happy Hour

High Country News

High Country News covers important issues facing the Western United States. But its investigative reporting and narrative features offer important stories for any readers, no matter their location. The current U.S. administration has been a consistent threat to public lands, the environment, and indigenous communities in the West, and High Country News is on top of those extremely important topics.

Read: As Temperatures Rise, Arizona Sinks

Every Alt-Weekly and Local Newspaper on the Planet

There are so many of these, and it’s safe to assume they’re all in trouble. Alt-weeklies and local newspapers usually depend on events, restaurants, and bars to buy ad spots—all of which have stopped operating. So without those ad dollars, they desperately need reader support. Journalists at these publications are the ones that keep our local politicians in check. And it would be so very tragic for our communities and for democracy if we lost that.

Also, staying on top of local news is a great way to find story ideas. So maybe treat yourself to a local newspaper subscription? The alt-weeklies are typically free, but most are now accepting donations.

Read: Coronavirus Could be the End of Alt-Weeklies, Mother Jones

That’s it for now, writers. Sorry to show up on a Saturday with bummer news, but here we are.

I hope you enjoy your weekend, and I’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday for a more inspiring read!