Salon Closes After 31 Years of Digital Journalism
The San Francisco-based site, founded in 1995, ends operations weeks before its 31st anniversary due to unsustainable business models.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Salon will stop publishing news on Thursday, ending a 31-year run that began in 1995. The closure means the oldest general interest publication on the internet will cease its daily output just weeks before its anniversary on November 20. The site, which originated in San Francisco, built its reputation on politics, arts, and culture coverage before moving most of its editorial staff to New York City in the 2000s.
In a statement, the outlet explained that the economics of independent digital journalism have shifted drastically over the years. Leaders determined that their current publishing model could no longer sustain the operation. They acknowledged that the news would be disappointing to readers and shared the sadness associated with the decision.
Salon described itself as more than just a website, calling it an idea about journalism born when the internet was an unexplored frontier. The company stated that its work helped pioneer a new era of publishing. It expressed gratitude to the journalists, editors, photographers, producers, designers, and business teams who contributed to the publication across its various chapters.
The site accumulated numerous awards during its first decade. Time magazine named it the website of the year in 1996, while BusinessWeek selected it as the best website in 1997. A 2011 article by the Columbia Journalism Review identified Salon as the oldest general interest publication on the internet.
The statement noted that 31 years represents a long run for a digital media property. The outlet emphasized that the journalism, ideas, voices, conversations, and community formed during that period matter most. The closure follows a careful review of the company’s financial and operational viability.
