The huge challenge for journalism is the reality that professionals are almost always paid to promote the agenda of their employer and advertisers. Independent

The huge challenge for journalism is the reality that professionals are almost always paid to promote the agenda of their employer and advertisers. Independent, investigative reporting is very rare in corporate media these days. Many (Chris Hedges, ex NYT foreign correspondent is a good example) set up as independents in the golden era of blogging prior to the social media/smartphone tsunamai. I would argue people such as Matt Taibbi, Matt Stoller, Michael Tracey, Chris Hedges in the US are the true gatekeepers right now based on my understanding of the planet. These people appear to survive by publishing books and keeping up a strong social media presence critiquing the platforms that host them, and with companies like substack paying them to promote their platforms.