Salon Shuts Down
The pioneering digital news site is ceasing publication after 31 years online.
November 5, 2026 · Updated Nov 5, 8:45pm ET
HuffPostTrailblazing Digital News Site Salon Shuts Down After 31 Years
VarietySalon.com Shuts Down Cultural and Political Site After 31 Years
New York PostLefty digital news site Salon closes after 31 years
The GuardianSalon, internet’s oldest general interest publication, shuts down after 31 years
ABC NewsOnline magazine Salon, early staple of internet discourse, shuts down
The Post MillennialLeft-wing news outlet Salon shutters after 31 years
SalonGoodbye from Salon
Associated PressOnline magazine Salon, an early staple of internet discourse, announces it will shut down
Breitbart NewsOnline magazine Salon, an early staple of internet discourse, announces it will shut down
The VergeSalon is shutting down after 31 years
NBC NewsSalon, an early staple of internet discourse, announces it will shut down
MEDIAiteJUST IN: Salon Shutting Down After 31 Years
DeadlineOnline Media Pioneer Salon To Shutter: "Our Publishing Model Is No Longer Sustainable"
Daily BeastPioneering Digital Publication Shuts Down After 31 Years
Joe.My.God.News Site Salon Ceases Publishing After 31 Years
44%
Left · 7
31%
Center · 5
25%
Right · 4
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
- SalonSalon.comAmerican progressive news and opinion website’s editors announced Thursday that the site is ceasing publication after 31 years of political and cultural journalism online.
- The editorial team said changing business conditions had made its publishing model “no longer sustainable.”
- Launched in November 1995, Salon was an early online-only publication and employed journalists including Jake Tapper
Jake TapperAmerican political journalist (born 1969), Glenn Greenwald
Glenn GreenwaldAmerican journalist, lawyer and writer (born 1967) and Rebecca Traister
Rebecca TraisterAmerican writer and journalist. - A Salon spokesperson said the closure affected 19 full-time employees and a handful of contractors.
- Chief content officer Erin Keane said Salon’s editorial archive would “stay live for now,” leaving its longer-term availability unresolved.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets largely framed Salon’s closure as the loss of a digital journalism pioneer facing financial pressures. The Guardian called it “one of the early internet’s pioneering publications,” while HuffPost described it as “trailblazing” and emphasized its role in launching journalists’ careers.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets generally foregrounded the publication’s left-wing identity, though their tone varied. The New York Post called it “Lefty,” while The Post Millennial highlighted controversial past headlines. Breitbart’s John Nolte celebrated with “Tee hee,” but the site also carried a straightforward AP account of the closure and its financial cause.
Salon Closure
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 6Salon Closure Draws Polarized ReactionsBalanced
- Nov 5Salon Shuts Down (this story)Balanced