Are independent journalists doing a better job?

Are independent journalists doing a better job?

From Unspun by Amanda Sturgill

February 17, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

This episode explores the impact of independent journalism on news quality and ethics amidst the decline of traditional newsrooms.

Newsrooms are shrinking and experienced reporters are getting pushed onto Substack or into freelance work. Does it change the news you receive when journalism moves from institutions to individuals? In this episode of UnSpun , DrSturg looks at the complicated trade-offs that come with at the rise of freelance and independent journalism. From Washington Post layoffs to Substack newsletters, and from Don Lemon’s arrest to Nick Shirley's video about Minnesota daycares, we she considers how ethics, accountability, legal protection, and financial pressure change when journalists work alone. Independence can mean freedom, but it can also mean exposure. This episode breaks down research from multiple countries on how unstable working conditions shape the type of information produced — and what that means for you, as you get your news. . If you care about media literacy, press freedom, journalism ethics, misinformation, or the future of news, this conversation matters. Check out DrSturg's book, Detection Deception: Tools to fight fake news . Link takes you to independent bookstores, but the big guys have it, too. And find her on Bluesky and I nstagram . Episode photo: by Bickanski on…

People in this episode

Hosts: DrSturg, Amanda Sturgill

Topics covered

  • independent journalism
  • media literacy
  • press freedom
  • journalism ethics
  • misinformation
  • future of news

Keywords

  • independent journalists
  • freelance journalism
  • news ethics
  • accountability
  • media landscape
  • journalism challenges
  • information quality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Washington Post, Substack

Books & works: Detection Deception: Tools to fight fake news

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