Salon Closes After 31 Years, Surprises Many with Quiet Exit
Salon, a left-wing digital outlet, shuts down after 31 years, catching many by surprise.
2 min read
Salon, a left-wing digital outlet that launched in 1995, announced on Thursday that it is closing its doors after 31 years. The decision came as a surprise to many, as the site had largely faded from public consciousness.
Surprise Closure
The outlet broke the news in a post titled ‘Goodbye from Salon,’ stating, ‘Today, after 31 years, we are saddened to announce that Salon is ceasing publication.’ The sudden decision caught pundits and journalists off guard.
Legacy and Impact
Salon once held significant influence in online journalism, serving as a go-to source for left-wing perspectives. Many journalists and writers, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, Glenn Greenwald, and Rebecca Traister, launched their careers there. The site also helped shape the careers of David Talbot and Joan Walsh, who became prominent figures on the left.
Business Realities
According to the farewell post, financial challenges drove the decision. ‘The business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly over the years,’ Salon wrote. ‘After careful consideration, we have reached the difficult decision that our publishing model is no longer sustainable.’
Public Reaction
The farewell message leaned on nostalgia, recalling how a small group of journalists started the site in November 1995, when the internet was ‘a largely unexplored frontier.’ It also highlighted its contributions, stating, ‘Our journalism examined power and politics, questioned assumptions, surfaced stories that deserved attention and made room for perspectives that were too often overlooked.’
Twitter Reactions
On X, people quickly dug up examples of what Salon considered worthy of publication, and the results were mixed.
oh no what will we do without salon https://t.co/DBS0aLw4cj
You're telling me this model didn't work out? https://t.co/XEPEOJqNPY
https://t.co/y4zorPlazB
https://t.co/KKvZzOqBUs
https://t.co/FWyGqfNPhn
https://t.co/C5YlaWwjFQ
To me, the most telling part of this whole story is how little I even noticed Salon was still around until it announced it was leaving. I’m sure I’m not alone. An outlet that once was an online force for the left faded so quietly that its own obituary doubled as a reminder it still existed.
Source: PJ Media
