How the Fourth Estate is Evolving: From Traditional Journalism to Personal Commentary—and Why It Matters

"Truth is now fungible… there’s never been a greater need for news … and we’re woefully short of it." — Dan Rather

I’m prepping to write the second essay in my series on restoring trust in our media and catching up on news from independent journalists I follow. One of them is the 92-year-old

, who still writes and shares his thoughts on his Substack Steady. I was sad to hear that his wife, Jean Grace Rather, passed away—rest in peace.

In contrast to Dan Rather’s long career is

, an investigative reporter who writes in a very personal way, almost like the Gonzo journalists from the past.

Rather, reflecting on his own career and the future of broadcast news, earlier this year also said, "I wonder how long broadcast news will last, given its corporatization, politicization, and Hollywoodization." This sentiment underscores much of what we’re seeing today—mainstream media is shifting from its roots in objective reporting to something more sensational, and often, more commercialized.

Rather also defined news as "something people, usually those in power, don’t want others to know." This definition underscores the vital role journalism plays in holding power accountable, in uncovering truths that might otherwise be hidden from the public eye.

I find it interesting that both Rather and Taibbi, who appear to stand on different sides of the Fourth Estate, have embraced Substack. It’s a complex debate, but my main point is this: personal commentary can muddy the waters of objective reporting and complicate the line between journalism and opinion. Could it be this more than anything else—the 24/7 news cycle, rapid sensationalism, and the shift from reader subscriptions to ad-based funding—that has contributed to the erosion of trust in traditional media?

What do you think? I’d love to include your thoughts in my upcoming essay.