Salon closes its digital doors

“The business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly over the years,” the statement reads. “After careful consideration, we have reached the difficult decision that our publishing model is no longer sustainable. We know this news will be deeply disappointing to many of you, and we share that sadness.” 

Salon pioneered politically progressive cultural commentary online, and, along with sites like Slate, offered criticism and commentary without pulling punches. When it launched, Time named it the Web Site of the Year, and it would go on to win Webby Awards, Online Journalism Awards, GLAAD awards, and many more. It’s certainly hard to imagine an A.V. Club without sites like Salon creating space for criticism and commentary not beholden to corporate interests. 

“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 statement concludes. “Salon helped demonstrate what digital journalism could be and could become. We hope that legacy will continue to matter long after today.”