Click HERE for a downloadable version of this document
In recent years, independent news platforms have emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional mainstream media. With growing concerns over media bias, corporate influence, and political agendas, many are turning to independent outlets for more diverse and trusted perspectives.
The rise of digital media has democratized journalism, allowing indepen- dent journalists and small news organizations to thrive. Podcasts and subscription-based models have given these platforms direct access to audiences without relying on traditional gatekeepers. This shift is driven by a demand for transparency and a growing distrust of mainstream media, which some argue prioritize profits and political interests over objective reporting. (Source: The Rise of Independent News Platforms: Can they compete with Mainstream Media?)
Bottom line? Independent news sources offer alternative perspectives and in-depth reporting, often focusing on issues and analysis not presented by main- stream media. Many are funded by viewer support or donations, not advertising or corporate funding.
Here are some examples:
Substack – is an umbrella for a myriad of newsletters, videos and podcasts (for listening) which allows creators to build a direct relation- ship with their audience and generate income through subscriptions. Most offer a free subscription along with an option for paid subscribers to get additional content, such as more in-depth content, invitations to online live discussions, and the ability to make (and see others’) comments. There are tons of Substack offerings and it can be overwhelming. Rather than subscribing to Substack itself, you might want to directly subscribe just to writers you like.
Bluesky – (Pronounced Blue Sky) a decentralized, social media app similar to X (formerly Twitter), where users can post text, images, videos, and engage in discussions. Leans heavily left.
Threads – a new app built by Instagram. People log in with their Instagram account to share text updates and participate in public discussions. The app allows you to create posts up to 500 characters in length with the option to include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes long.
The challenge?
It can be overwhelming: knowing what sources to trust, learning how to sift through the sheer volume of content that – let’s face it – can feel scary, even depressing. For this reason, we assembled a list of news sources that we trust. Pace yourself. Make self-care your priority over being informed!
The following sources are recommended by members of the DORR community and each includes links for your convenience.
* Indicates most highly & frequently recommended featuring a variety of topics.
A downloadable version of this document is available HERE.
Heather Cox Richardson is an American historian, author, and bestseller on Substack with tens of thousands of paid subscribers. She is a professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American
Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. She previously taught history at MIT and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She’s smart and incisive.
You can watch Katie Couric’s March 2025 interview with Ms. Richardson, The Dismantling of American Democracy on You Tube, here.
Robert Hubbell is a former lawyer who writes about current political issues and policies “through the lens of hope.” This Substack offers a weekday newsletter which you can read or listen to, and a Saturday morning live discussion with calm, thoughtful analysis of an array of the day’s events. If you want an optimistic take, Robert is for you.
Hubbell did a private event for DORR in December, 2024 which can be viewed here.
Jessica Craven works to elect Democratic candidates, teaches her Activism 101 workshop, and creates political content for social media.
This Substack offers a weekday newsletter telling you how you can make a difference by taking 5-7 minutes of EASY actions. You’ll receive an additional Sunday newsletter bursting with hopeful news, Democratic accomplishments, and all the “blue wins” she can find. It’ll make you feel better.
Antonia Scatton is a veteran political strategist and expert in political messaging and framing. Her mission is to help us learn how best to frame our messaging so it resonates with and persuades the people we’re trying to reach. Ms. Scatton is very popular on Substack with hundreds of paid subscribers.
Antonia was a DORR Breakfast guest speaker in February, 2025. Watch the recording here.
She is currently partnering with the Democrat National Committee’s Association of State Democratic Committees to bring her message strategy workshops to Party leadership, staff, candidates, and elected officials across the country.
This Substack is about questioning assumptions that restrict our thinking and proposing new and better ways of talking about what’s happening.
Ms. Scatton provides clear guidance on how to engage with others in What Democrats Believe.
Leigh McGowan launched PoliticsGirl to help people reconnect with politics. Her stand-alone episodes/rants from her kitchen, explain complicated issues in an easily understandable way. Interesting guests on her podcasts.
With almost 2 million followers, Leigh has touched on a wide range of subjects. She’s supported by everyone from leading politicians and celebrities to a deep cross-section of the American public. Entertaining and common sense commentary you’ll want to forward to friends. She’s on:
Simon Rosenberg is a 30-year veteran of US politics providing expert commentary and data analysis. Hopium selects, promotes and fundraises for candidates in highly competitive races around the country. At Hopium, they are all about getting it done: working on strategies to defeat MAGA, how to tell our story more effectively, and ensure freedom and democracy prevail.
Former Secretary of Labor Reich provides in-depth analyses on economic policies, political developments, and social justice issues. His writings often focus on income inequality, labor rights, and the influence of corporate power in politics.
This Substack offers a daily newsletter exposing where power lies – and how it’s used and abused.
The Bulwark is an American conservative, anti-Trump news and opinion website launched in 2018 by Sarah Longwell, with the support of Bill Kristol and Charlie Sykes. Per Wikipedia, in 2021, Washingtonian magazine observed that content on The Bulwark is primarily geared toward readers seeking “serious coverage of events through a center-right filter” but that its editors have sought to attract centrist Democratic readers who may be “uncomfortable with the excesses of the progressive left”.
Sara Longwell is an American political strategist and publisher of the conservative news and opinion web- site, The Bulwark. A member of the Republican Party, she is the founder of Republican Accountability, which spent millions of dollars to defeat then-President Donald Trump in 2020
This podcast centers around results of hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. Sarah and a series of guests take you behind the glass to hear real focus group participants. Unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Watch this on You Tube or get a paid subscription to The Bullwark+ Substack for ad-free editions.
Anand Giridharadas is an American journalist, political pundit, former columnist for The NY Times, and author of four books, including The Persuaders.
This Substack offers video interviews and a newsletter where tough questions about politics and culture, money and power are asked to writers, thinkers, doers, artists, political leaders, etc. Anand looks not just for explanations, but for solutions to the threats facing American democracy. Try this to see the world in new ways.
This is a conglomeration of writers on Substack who prefer to remain anonymous. You’ll start to recognize the styles of the writers and appreciate their skill in dissecting issues not necessarily covered by others. One writer uses metaphors and analogies in such an entertaining way you’ll be sharing columns with friends because they’re so clever and well written.
Award-winning political review, KCRW National Public Radio weekly podcast where they take on tough, divisive issues with a wider spectrum of viewpoints than you’ll get from other shows in our “bubble.”
This is an independent daily column and also a podcast featuring Thom Hartmann award winning author, radio and TV host. Not only does the Report cover news, but it also includes a daily, usually poignant song! You’ll enjoy exploring all this site has to offer.
The Meidas Touch Network broadcasts insightful videos on YouTube featuring Ben Meiselas, one of the 3 brothers who founded the Network. There are frequently excellent guests on the program. A podcast and free newsletter are also offered at the website.
Legal Focused:
Published for free on The Contrarian Substack and initiated by Joyce Vance, this is a project that uses the expertise of lawyers and political scientists to track developments in Trump 2.0., based on facts and transparent analysis.
At heart, it’s a proposal for civics education. It is a tracker for understanding what is happening and why it’s important. The goal is to help people stay informed without being distracted by “bright shiny objects” and/or the chaos, while avoiding the overload that all too often led to disengagement during Trump’s first administration.
Joyce Vance is a former federal prosecutor and professor of criminal justice reform, criminal procedure and civil rights. Most would recognize her as a legal analyst on MSNBC. She has dissected and analyzed every chapter in Project 2025 (in her Substack) and created The Democracy Index which is published in The Contrarian on Substack, see below). She also has two podcasts, #SistersInLaw and Café’s Insider.
This Substack, is part civics and part law school. Joyce talks about our government and legal system, how they are supposed to work, and what we can do to keep the Republic. On Sunday nights, she publishes an article titled, The Week Ahead.
Democracy Docket, and Attorney Marc Elias, delivers detailed analysis and expert commentary on voting rights, election litigation and policy that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come.
With a comprehensive database of over 800 cases, Democracy Docket tracks and reports on the latest election and voting-related litigation, providing in-depth analysis and up-to-date court proceedings developments.
- Court Cases shaping voting rights, redistricting and elections
- Weekly Newsletter (225,000 subscribers)
- YouTube channel with Marc Elias (160,000 subscribers)
- Podcast with Marc Elias and Paige Moskowitz
Arizona Focused:
The Agenda is a journalist-owned, nonpartisan, independent news and information company that is not beholden to corporate overlords, capitalist monsters, or bureaucratic boards and is available on their website and on Substack. They make sure you know your Arizona politicians, prosecutors and judges, how your government works, and how you can change it.
They offer free daily briefings that takes you behind the scenes in Arizona politics, with a wry sense of humor.
FREE subscription to this independent, non-profit news organization affiliated with States Newsroom. Focuses on 5 or so AZ stories every weekday.