Online magazine Salon shuts down after 31 years

Online magazine Salon announced Thursday it is shutting down after 31 years of publication, according to ABC News and The Verge.

The announcement

Salon said in an unsigned farewell note that "the business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly over the years" and that its publishing model is "no longer sustainable." The outlet did not immediately indicate what would become of its employees, though some reported they had lost their jobs.

A spokesperson for the outlet told the Associated Press that 19 full-time employees had been affected, as well as a handful of private contractors, according to WPTZ.

What Salon said

The farewell note read: "Over three decades, Salon has brought together politics, culture, criticism and ideas in a way that was distinctly our own. Our journalism examined power and politics, questioned assumptions, surfaced stories that deserved attention and made room for perspectives that were too often overlooked. Our writers and editors helped shape conversations about the forces changing our lives."

Salon also thanked its readers: "You came to Salon for the journalism, the dialogue, the essays, the criticism, the unexpected discoveries and the sense that there was a place on the internet where ideas mattered. You read, shared, challenged, subscribed, wrote to us and kept coming back. Your engagement made Salon a publication and a community, and it gave our work meaning. We are so grateful for the time you spent with us."

History and archives

Salon launched in November 1995 as one of the first online-only news magazine outlets. It drew high-profile writers including Jake Tapper and Glenn Greenwald. Founder David Talbot and editor-in-chief Joan Walsh went on to become prominent progressive political voices.

Salon told the Associated Press it had no immediate plans to take down its online archives, which include three decades of stories, according to WPTZ. On Bluesky, Salon chief content officer Erin Keane said the editorial archive will "stay live for now," according to The Verge.

Current owner Find.co acquired Salon in 2023 and describes itself as a "Performance Marketing Ecosystem transforming crypto marketing with performance and precision," The Verge reported.

Why it matters

Salon was one of the early internet's most influential websites and helped demonstrate what digital journalism could be. Its closure after 31 years reflects broader challenges facing independent digital publishing.

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Sources

• abcnews.com: Online magazine Salon, early staple of internet discourse, shuts down - ABC News
• theverge.com: Salon is shutting down after 31 years | The Verge
• biz.liga.net: The online magazine Salon is shutting down after 31 years in business | Ukrainian News | LIGA.net
• bozemandailychronicle.com: Online magazine Salon, an early staple of internet discourse, announces it will shut down
• mediaite.com: Salon Shutting Down After 31 Years For Financial Reasons
• mynbc5.com: Salon, early staple of internet discourse, announces shut down - WPTZ

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.