Trusted and Independent News Sources You Should Know About
In an era where media consolidation and corporate influence shape so much of what we see and hear, it can feel like real, independent journalism is hard to come by—especially at the local level. But don’t lose hope. There are still a ton of excellent news outlets and information sources doing the hard work of holding power accountable, telling important stories, and operating free of billionaire and right-wing control.
Whether you’re looking for progressive news, investigative reporting, or state-level updates, here are some of the best independent and trustworthy news and information sources to bookmark, follow, or subscribe to:
🌍 Independent & Progressive News Outlets
The Tennessee Holler
Founded in 2019 by Justin Kanew, this progressive news site covers stories across Tennessee that corporate media often ignores.
The Texas Tribune
A nonprofit newsroom dedicated to Texas politics and policy. Governed by a board of volunteers and supported by donations and subscriptions.
San Francisco Chronicle
One of California’s leading newspapers, with solid regional reporting. Owned by Hearst Media since 2000.
The Guardian
A UK-based, globally respected publication, supported by reader donations and owned by The Scott Trust since 1907. Great international and U.S. coverage.
Monocle
A stylish, global affairs magazine and radio station with deep dives into politics, business, and culture. Their 24/7 streaming channel is worth checking out: Monocle Affairs
📰 Reliable Global and National News Sources
Associated Press (AP)
A trusted source of breaking news and straight reporting. Free to access, widely used by newsrooms across the world.
Reuters
A British news agency known for accuracy and speed. Owned by Thomson Reuters. Subscription-based but high quality.
NPR / PBS
Public media giants offering balanced reporting. Keep in mind: while nonprofit, they rely heavily on corporate underwriting.
🔍 Investigative Journalism & Legal Reporting
ProPublica
One of the most important investigative outlets of our time. Deep reporting, nonprofit, and entirely reader-supported.
States Newsroom
A growing network of nonprofit newsrooms covering state-level politics and policy with local expertise.
Democracy Docket
A powerful legal news platform that tracks voter suppression efforts, gerrymandering, and court cases affecting democracy.
🗞️ Digestible & Curated News
The Week
A weekly digest of top stories from over 200 trusted sources. Available in print, online, newsletters, and app form.
🧠 Better Web Browsing
Looking things up yourself is still underrated! But if you're done with being tracked and profiled online, try an alternative search engine:
DuckDuckGo
A privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t track you. Works just like Google, minus the spying.
📱 Social Media Platforms Worth Exploring
Reddit – Crowdsourced news, commentary, and community discussions.
BlueSky – A decentralized, Twitter-like platform with a growing progressive presence.
Substack – Home to independent writers, journalists, and commentators.
✍️ Writers to Follow on Substack
Jeff Tiedrich (careful with this one)
🎙️ Recommended Podcasts
📝 Final Thoughts
Here’s a simple rule: if it’s run by a corporation, use it cautiously—maybe line your cat box with it. But if it’s independent, nonprofit, or reader-supported, give it your attention—and your dollars, if you can.
Have a favorite source I didn’t mention? Share it with us at escondidodems@gmail.com, and we’ll add it to the list.