It has never been more important to know how to choose and verify your sources of information. Indeed, in the era of fake news, AI-generated content and deliberately misleading discourse, it is imperative to support free and independent journalism.
So here are three independent media outlets we wanted to highlight. At Rorqual Studio, we've subscribed to their newsletters. We can only recommend you do the same, if you haven't already.
Vert
A media outlet specialized in environmental and climate news, founded by Loup Espargilière and Juliette Quef in 2018, Vert offers investigations, reports and analyses on ecological issues, energy transition and environmental policies in France and Europe.
Newsletter: Vert offers several newsletter formats including a daily and a weekly, as well as two specific ones: "Chaleurs actuelles" to combat climate skeptics, and "C'était mieux après" dedicated to their podcast. The newsletters are concise, well-structured and offer a selection of articles as well as relevant external links on environmental news.
To subscribe: vert.eco/inscription
Reporterre
Reporterre is an independent non-profit media outlet, with free access, no ads, funded by reader donations and founded by Hervé Kempf. Originally launched as a print magazine in 1989, it relaunched on the web in 2007.
A pioneer of environmental journalism in France, Reporterre defines itself as "the daily of ecology." The media outlet covers the environment, climate, biodiversity, environmental activism and local alternatives with a rigorous approach.
Newsletter: Reporterre sends a very popular free newsletter (daily and/or weekly), presenting the day's articles in a sober and efficient manner. It's one of the most followed environmental newsletters in France, with a simple format that prioritizes editorial content.
To subscribe: reporterre.net/lettres
Basta!
An independent media outlet focused on social, ecological and democratic issues, Basta! highlights alternatives, social struggles and citizen initiatives. The media is run by a non-profit association (Alter-médias) and operated by a team of 9 employees. Without advertising or subscription, the publication is funded at 85% by donations from its readers.
Newsletter: Basta! offers different newsletter formats including weekly and monthly. Our favorite is called "Chez les indés" which offers every Friday the best articles from the independent press to discover in 5 minutes (and which also exists for international media with "Chez les indés - International").
To subscribe: basta.media/inscription-newsletter
