Mon Feb 03 05:40:47 UTC 2025: ## Independent Journalists Rise as Legacy Media Shrinks
**New York, February 3, 2025** – The decline of traditional news outlets is fueling a surge in independent journalism, with individual reporters making headlines and establishing themselves as influential news sources. This trend is exemplified by Marisa Kabas, a Brooklyn-based journalist who broke a significant story about the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze federal spending before major news organizations picked it up.
Kabas, who operates her own website, “The Handbasket,” initially shared her scoop on the social media platform Bluesky. Her story was quickly verified and published by The Washington Post, highlighting the growing impact of independent journalists. The administration reversed its decision two days later, underscoring the power of even a single reporter’s work.
Kabas’s success is part of a larger movement. Many journalists, either leaving traditional newsrooms or choosing alternative paths, are creating independent platforms on sites such as Substack and Beehiiv. These platforms allow for greater editorial freedom and focus on specific niches. Examples include Seamus Hughes’s legal news site, Court Watch, and Heather Cox Richardson’s historical analysis, Letters From an American. Other prominent examples include Peter Geoghegan, Oliver Darcy, Jennifer Rubin, and Taylor Lorenz, all of whom have left established organizations to pursue independent ventures. Recently, even veteran news anchor Jim Acosta announced his departure from CNN to start a Substack.
Experts in journalism education believe this shift is a natural response to the shrinking legacy media landscape. The increasing demand for news and information will be met by these independent journalists, filling the gap left by established organizations. Veteran journalist Dan Rather has even declared independent journalism “the way forward.” While the challenges of independent work – including solo operation and self-promotion – are undeniable, the growing influence and impact of these individual journalists are undeniable.
First Piper 