This is a long message about the future of journalism. Please read the whole thing, and consider giving $5 to keep us going strong.

It’s already been an awful year for digital news media, and we just got even more bad news.

Vice, the once fast-growing news outlet, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after laying off 100 staff and shutting down its global reporting venture, Vice World News.

This comes after BuzzFeed News announced that it is shutting down and reports of layoffs at outlets as varied as NPR, Vox, FiveThirtyEight, and more — all just since the start of 2023.

Vibrant, independent journalism is essential to the functioning of democracy. But with the newspaper industry in a decadeslong death spiral and digital news now also hitting hard times, I am deeply concerned for the future.

The bottom line is this: Journalism can survive only if people are willing to support it, and that’s why I’m writing to you today.

Here at The Intercept, I believe we have a sound strategy to remain strong for years into the future — but fundamental to that plan is the financial support of readers through the continued growth of our membership program.

So I'm making a personal request: If you value the investigative reporting of The Intercept, will you donate $5?

Thank you,