I was going to donate to OPB because I loved Hush so much, but because of the cancellation I became a paid subscriber instead. Thanks for being the kind of journalist who justifies my continued belief in journalism.
The 4 considerations are a doozy, like get a little dizzy re-reading doozy. UGH. Sorry and sad about Hush. Blazing Eye was top of my faves lists this year, so good and spurned a bunch of research on my end into the other movements that were touched on. Fascinating!!! Discovering your work this year was a major highlight, both in print and podcasts, please keep doing the good work, we all love it.
Yeah! It's a lot to consider! So glad you've been doing your own research, and I really appreciate your support of my work - in person and online! More new projects on the horizon. Have a great new year!
First, my sincere condolences on your loss. But congratulations on your courage in grieving it. The only reason I support OPB and HCN is because of you. Very disappointed in OPB. Second, thanks for putting together this manifesto. I love it! And in no particular order, here are some of the ones that got me the most:
-The adage that journalism should “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” is abandoned when the comfortable are deciding who to afflict.
-Bias is real. Perceived bias is also real. However, it is a farce to believe that the public does not see journalists as operating from points of view, from real and expressed biases.
-If you find yourself getting close to power — politicians, police officers, business tycoons, the rich — and are consistently repeating their concerns in the journalism you create, hand in your press pass, then punch yourself.
-Journalism punches up at power. Full stop. It never punches down at the people the powerful aim to control.
-A Nazi salute never needs to be verified.
-The people are your bosses. You write for the people. You are a person.
-Have the guts to tell management to fuck off. Always be willing to walk off the job. Put your principles first. Know the signs of gaslighting and think about what it would do to a society if your work aided in the gaslighting of an entire population of people. Think of the worst-case scenario.
-Journalism is not just about politics and crime. It should aim to capture all of the human experience: the beauty, the sadness. The simple things, the complicated things. Resist myopia.
Thanks for your wonderful work, Leah, and here's to a better 2026 for all of us. ✅
thank you for this, leah. i've been pondering quandary #3 a LOT lately - specifically, "How much of your participation in being a human being will you cede?" w/r/t to.. well.. everything happening. and re: declarations 7 and 11 -- may i suggest you punch yourself *twice* if you're continually justifying the anti-social actions of losers trying to make generative AI ubiquitous?
Thanks Leah, I highly recommend the documentary Cover-Up which just got released on Netflix for a reminder of the vital role courageous voices play in holding power to account. All power to your next projects.
I was going to donate to OPB because I loved Hush so much, but because of the cancellation I became a paid subscriber instead. Thanks for being the kind of journalist who justifies my continued belief in journalism.
The 4 considerations are a doozy, like get a little dizzy re-reading doozy. UGH. Sorry and sad about Hush. Blazing Eye was top of my faves lists this year, so good and spurned a bunch of research on my end into the other movements that were touched on. Fascinating!!! Discovering your work this year was a major highlight, both in print and podcasts, please keep doing the good work, we all love it.
Yeah! It's a lot to consider! So glad you've been doing your own research, and I really appreciate your support of my work - in person and online! More new projects on the horizon. Have a great new year!
First, my sincere condolences on your loss. But congratulations on your courage in grieving it. The only reason I support OPB and HCN is because of you. Very disappointed in OPB. Second, thanks for putting together this manifesto. I love it! And in no particular order, here are some of the ones that got me the most:
-The adage that journalism should “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” is abandoned when the comfortable are deciding who to afflict.
-Bias is real. Perceived bias is also real. However, it is a farce to believe that the public does not see journalists as operating from points of view, from real and expressed biases.
-If you find yourself getting close to power — politicians, police officers, business tycoons, the rich — and are consistently repeating their concerns in the journalism you create, hand in your press pass, then punch yourself.
-Journalism punches up at power. Full stop. It never punches down at the people the powerful aim to control.
-A Nazi salute never needs to be verified.
-The people are your bosses. You write for the people. You are a person.
-Have the guts to tell management to fuck off. Always be willing to walk off the job. Put your principles first. Know the signs of gaslighting and think about what it would do to a society if your work aided in the gaslighting of an entire population of people. Think of the worst-case scenario.
-Journalism is not just about politics and crime. It should aim to capture all of the human experience: the beauty, the sadness. The simple things, the complicated things. Resist myopia.
Thanks for your wonderful work, Leah, and here's to a better 2026 for all of us. ✅
Oh, and "AI is for losers."✅
Always appreciate your support, John, in all these projects I put together. There will be more soon!
Very sorry to hear Hush was cancelled, that was some fine work
I appreciate that. I'm still mourning the loss, but I'm very proud of what we were able to create.
Yes both seasons were really really good, sorry to hear
thank you for this, leah. i've been pondering quandary #3 a LOT lately - specifically, "How much of your participation in being a human being will you cede?" w/r/t to.. well.. everything happening. and re: declarations 7 and 11 -- may i suggest you punch yourself *twice* if you're continually justifying the anti-social actions of losers trying to make generative AI ubiquitous?
In my original draft there was a lot more punching actually, so I would say yes we should add that in.
Love your work, Leah. Brilliant. No better way to describe what you do. We read you. We learn from you.
- Joe
https://sierranevadaally.org/2025/12/28/looking-back-and-celebrating-our-first-five-years/
https://sierranevadaally.org/2025/12/22/opportunity-stability-guidance-and-growth-the-ally-difference/
That means a lot, thank you! Keep up the awesome work.
Thanks Leah, I highly recommend the documentary Cover-Up which just got released on Netflix for a reminder of the vital role courageous voices play in holding power to account. All power to your next projects.
Love this, thank you.
I loved Hush and all that came before it. Your body of work is amazing and always interesting. Much love, Leah!
Thank you, Kevin! That means so much coming from you. Looking forward to seeing you and Susan in the new year, and to your new book!