SUBSTACK’S RISE: A NEW MODEL FOR JOURNALISM?
Critics also argue Substack prioritises opinion and commentary over original reporting.
Since its launch in 2017, the subscription newsletter platform Substack has rapidly reshaped the media landscape by providing writers a more direct path to readers and revenue. For many journalists, it offers an appealing alternative to declining traditional media jobs that are deeply intertwined with social media engagement. While the Substack’s rise seemed unstoppable, a recent campaign by a group of Substack writers over what they call “Nazi sympathies” being allowed by the service, raises questions about the platform’s model.
Substack’s main draw is its simplicity – writers can quickly build an audience and earn a stable income directly from subscriptions and tips. The growth in paid subscribers has been remarkable, especially between December 2020 and November 2021, during which time Substack’s paid subscribers quadrupled from 250,000 to 1,000,000. And by March 2023, the platform announced that is has crossed 2 million paid subscription mark.
This model has attracted a wide range of popular writers seeking independence from editorial constraints. For example, New York Times columnist Bari Weiss resigned from the paper due to what she called The Times’ abandoning the essence of critical, curious journalism. She subsequently joined Substack and amassed over half a million subscribers and rebranded her newsletter, formerly known as Common Sense, to The Free Press with a growing staff. However, Substack’s hands-off approach to content has also led to controversies, such as the threatened creator exodus over the platform’s tolerance of inflammatory viewpoints.
Critics also argue Substack prioritises opinion and commentary over original reporting. While the platform has certainly empowered individual journalists, its broader impact on the quality and sustainability of public interest journalism remains uncertain.
Additionally, lean content moderation and editorial oversight raise concerns about misinformation– an issue for any platform facilitating wide reach without institutional accountability. Questions linger regarding Substack’s ability to balance unrestrained creative freedom with responsible journalism.
In an age of declining trust in media, Substack’s rise signals the appeal of perceived independence and transparency between writers and audience. However, as it continues rewriting the rules of the journalism business model, Substack must still confront difficult questions about the complex relationship between freedom of expression, journalistic ethics, and corporate oversight.