Goodbye from Salon

Salon is ceasing publication after 31 years, the digital magazine announced November 5, 2026, citing a publishing model that is no longer sustainable amid profound changes in independent digital journalism. Founded in November 1995 by a small group of journalists, Salon pioneered a strong-voiced form of online journalism blending politics, culture, criticism and ideas, and its work helped shape conversations about power and the forces changing readers' lives. The closure ends a three-decade run that made the title an early template for internet-native publishing and built a community around its essays, criticism and dialogue. The company did not disclose subscriber or revenue figures in its farewell message, thanking founders, staff, contributors, alumni and readers for sustaining the publication across its many chapters. The shutdown underscores the mounting business pressure on independent digital media outlets as they seek durable funding models. What to watch next: whether Salon's archive remains accessible and whether its closure signals further consolidation among legacy digital publishers.