The Washington Post is in talks with Substack about a potential collaboration that would allow it to broaden its opinion coverage by tapping into the newsletter platform’s network of independent writers. The move, confirmed by Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie in an interview with The Guardian, signals a notable shift in how legacy media views a platform it once regarded with suspicion.
Substack, which enables writers to monetise their work directly through subscriptions, has grown rapidly in recent years and is now seen by some traditional publishers as a source of fresh talent and audience engagement. “There’s been a change in mindset,” said McKenzie. “This is the most significant media disruption since the printing press.” Once viewed as a threat to established outlets, Substack is increasingly being seen as a partner in navigating the digital landscape.
The Post has already seen several of its own writers move to the platform. Taylor Lorenz, who covered technology and online culture, recently announced she was leaving to launch her own publication, User Mag, citing a desire to escape “corporate overlords” and pursue journalism on her own terms. Jennifer Rubin, a long-standing political columnist, has also left to start The Contrarian, her own Substack newsletter.
Substack now has more than five million paid subscriptions, with one million added in recent months. Its growth has accelerated since the re-election of Donald Trump, and its appeal to journalists disillusioned with the constraints of large media organisations has been particularly strong. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta is among those reported to be launching a presence on the platform.
McKenzie’s comments reflect a broader recalibration in the relationship between Substack and traditional publishers. Where once it was seen as siphoning talent and attention, some now view it as a distribution partner that can help legacy outlets remain relevant. With audience habits changing fast, and younger readers increasingly avoiding traditional opinion sections, there is pressure to innovate.
At the Washington Post, this comes amid wider strategic changes under new chief executive Will Lewis. The paper reportedly lost $100 million last year and has been searching for ways to rebuild both revenue and readership. One recent shift has involved repositioning its opinion section to focus on themes such as individual liberty and free markets – a change that has unsettled some writers and may partly explain the exodus to independent platforms.
Substack’s pitch to publishers is that its ecosystem is not just a platform but a “new land to build on”, as McKenzie put it. For the Post, any formal collaboration would represent a significant departure from how legacy media has historically operated but also a recognition that the dynamics of audience engagement have changed.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on June 14, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is from May 2025, indicating a fresh development. The report is based on an interview with Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie, suggesting originality. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Hamish McKenzie, “the most significant media disruption since the printing press,” appears to be original and exclusive to this report. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, and no variations in wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The report is based on an interview with Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie, adding credibility. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claim that The Washington Post is exploring a collaboration with Substack aligns with recent industry trends, including other media outlets launching newsletters on Substack. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was noted. The tone is formal and resembles typical corporate language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a recent development regarding The Washington Post’s potential collaboration with Substack, based on an interview with Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie. While the source is reputable and the information plausible, the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the potential for recycled content warrant further scrutiny.
