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Salon, a trailblazer in digital journalism and one of the internet’s earliest news magazines, announced on Thursday (November 5) that it will cease publication after 31 years. The site, which began in November 1995 in San Francisco, helped shape online news and political discourse with its original reporting and progressive perspective, according to its own farewell statement.
In the announcement posted to the Salon website, the outlet stated, "Today, after 31 years, we are saddened to announce that Salon is ceasing publication." The statement emphasized that "Salon was never just a website. It was an idea about what journalism could be, born at a moment when the internet was still a largely unexplored frontier."
The editorial team thanked contributors, staff, and readers for their support over the decades, highlighting the community that grew around the publication.
The decision comes amid what Salon described as profound changes in the business of independent digital journalism. The outlet wrote that "the business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly over the years," and after careful consideration, "our publishing model is no longer sustainable." The announcement did not specify the immediate future of Salon’s employees, though some staff have reported job losses. The site reportedly had up to 50 employees, as noted by its LinkedIn page, but the exact number affected was not detailed.
Salon was an early innovator, leaning into original reporting and launching the careers of several journalists who went on to national prominence, including Jake Tapper, Steve Kornacki, Glenn Greenwald, and Rebecca Traister.
Over the years, Salon underwent multiple ownership changes. Salon was acquired by entrepreneurs Chris Richmond and Drew Schoentrup in 2019, and later by Find.co, a Malta-based company, in 2023. Despite these changes, the publication could not overcome the financial pressures facing many independent media outlets today.
Salon’s farewell message concluded, "Thirty-one years is a remarkable run, but what matters most is what happened during those years: the journalism, the ideas, the voices, the conversations and the community that grew around them." The outlet expressed hope that its legacy would continue to influence digital journalism in the years ahead.