#media-work — Public Fediverse posts

A Reader Somewhere

By Cliff Potts, Editor-in-Chief

Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines — September 9, 2026

Most writing begins with a strange assumption.

You sit down at the desk, or the table, or sometimes the corner of the bed with a laptop balanced on your knees, and you begin putting words together for people you cannot see. There is no audience in the room. No editor leaning over your shoulder. No reader raising a hand to ask a question.

Just the quiet act of turning thoughts into sentences.

For independent writers, that quiet can last a long time.

Days turn into months, and months turn into years of writing, publishing, archiving, and repeating the cycle. The work becomes a kind of routine. You show up, produce the next piece, and send it out into the wide digital landscape where most things disappear almost immediately.

Or at least that is how it feels.

But every so often there is a reminder that the work does not vanish completely.

A visitor from a different part of the world. A familiar pattern of someone returning to read several articles in a row. A quiet presence moving through the archive.

It is never dramatic.

There are no crowds gathering at the door of an independent publication. No applause when an article is finished. The signs of readership are small and easy to miss.

And yet they matter.

Because somewhere, at some point during the day, someone opened the page and stayed long enough to read what was written. They took a few minutes from their own life and spent it with a set of ideas produced by someone they will probably never meet.

That simple act changes the nature of the work.

Writing stops being a monologue and becomes a kind of conversation across distance and time. The writer sends something out. A reader receives it. A thought forms. Perhaps it stays with them for a while.

The writer may never know.

But the connection exists anyway.

That is the quiet reality behind a great deal of independent media. Not the loud metrics or the arguments that dominate public platforms, but the steady presence of readers who simply show up, read, and move on with their day.

If you are one of those readers, then you are part of the unseen half of the work.

You may never announce yourself. You may never send a message or leave a comment.

But the fact that you are there—somewhere—means the work continues to travel farther than the writer can see.

For more social commentary, please see Occupy 2.5 at https://Occupy25.com

References

Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682.

Of all the things that run on low pay and exploitation, Hollywood is one.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sag-aftra-wga-strike-why

#WGA #WGAStrike #WGAStrong #mediaWork #union #labor #solidarity

Of all the things that run on low pay and exploitation, Hollywood is one.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sag-aftra-wga-strike-why

#WGA #WGAStrike #WGAStrong #mediaWork #union #labor #solidarity

Of all the things that run on low pay and exploitation, Hollywood is one.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sag-aftra-wga-strike-why

#WGA #WGAStrike #WGAStrong #mediaWork #union #labor #solidarity

Of all the things that run on low pay and exploitation, Hollywood is one.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sag-aftra-wga-strike-why

#WGA #WGAStrike #WGAStrong #mediaWork #union #labor #solidarity

Veteran labor journalist Steve Zeltzer talks with L.A. Times reporter Matt Pearce, president at Media Guild West.
https://youtu.be/XcbRpQtQ1YA

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #labor #union #solidarity #WGAStrike #GannettWalkout

Veteran labor journalist Steve Zeltzer talks with L.A. Times reporter Matt Pearce, president at Media Guild West.
https://youtu.be/XcbRpQtQ1YA

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #labor #union #solidarity #WGAStrike #GannettWalkout

Veteran labor journalist Steve Zeltzer talks with L.A. Times reporter Matt Pearce, president at Media Guild West.
https://youtu.be/XcbRpQtQ1YA

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #labor #union #solidarity #WGAStrike #GannettWalkout

Veteran labor journalist Steve Zeltzer talks with L.A. Times reporter Matt Pearce, president at Media Guild West.
https://youtu.be/XcbRpQtQ1YA

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #labor #union #solidarity #WGAStrike #GannettWalkout

“‘[T]here is … the very real fear — which the WGA strike is so successfully highlighting — that much of the work that digital media workers currently do, both as freelancers and in staff roles, is likely to be first on the chopping block once these LLMs get robust enough,’ [FSP member @AlexisKG] Gunderson says. ‘Which, in too many cases, they already are.’”

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #WGAStrike #WGAStrong

“‘[T]here is … the very real fear — which the WGA strike is so successfully highlighting — that much of the work that digital media workers currently do, both as freelancers and in staff roles, is likely to be first on the chopping block once these LLMs get robust enough,’ [FSP member @AlexisKG] Gunderson says. ‘Which, in too many cases, they already are.’”

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #WGAStrike #WGAStrong

“‘[T]here is … the very real fear — which the WGA strike is so successfully highlighting — that much of the work that digital media workers currently do, both as freelancers and in staff roles, is likely to be first on the chopping block once these LLMs get robust enough,’ [FSP member @AlexisKG] Gunderson says. ‘Which, in too many cases, they already are.’”

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #WGAStrike #WGAStrong

“‘[T]here is … the very real fear — which the WGA strike is so successfully highlighting — that much of the work that digital media workers currently do, both as freelancers and in staff roles, is likely to be first on the chopping block once these LLMs get robust enough,’ [FSP member @AlexisKG] Gunderson says. ‘Which, in too many cases, they already are.’”

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #WGAStrike #WGAStrong

In Central FL and writing — or taking photographs, producing podcasts, creating illustrations, making video, doing graphic design, handling social, etc. — for a living?

Have a beer with freelance comrades in Lakeland tomorrow: Sat. May 13, 1–3pm, Swan Brewing.
https://www.swanbrewing.com/our-location.html

Some soaking in the sun, some drinking, some strategizing about collective power and industry transformation. You should come.

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #craftBeer #CentralFlorida

In Central FL and writing — or taking photographs, producing podcasts, creating illustrations, making video, doing graphic design, handling social, etc. — for a living?

Have a beer with freelance comrades in Lakeland tomorrow: Sat. May 13, 1–3pm, Swan Brewing.
https://www.swanbrewing.com/our-location.html

Some soaking in the sun, some drinking, some strategizing about collective power and industry transformation. You should come.

#mediaWork #mediaWorker #freelance #labor #solidarity #craftBeer #CentralFlorida

An update on ongoing Daily Kos Guild negotiations: https://mediaworkers.org/daily-kos-guild-alleges-bad-faith-in-buyout-layoff-negotiations/

#labor #union #mediaWork #DailyKosGuild #NewsGuild #CWA #CWAUnion

An update on ongoing Daily Kos Guild negotiations: https://mediaworkers.org/daily-kos-guild-alleges-bad-faith-in-buyout-layoff-negotiations/

#labor #union #mediaWork #DailyKosGuild #NewsGuild #CWA #CWAUnion

An update on ongoing Daily Kos Guild negotiations: https://mediaworkers.org/daily-kos-guild-alleges-bad-faith-in-buyout-layoff-negotiations/

#labor #union #mediaWork #DailyKosGuild #NewsGuild #CWA #CWAUnion

An update on ongoing Daily Kos Guild negotiations: https://mediaworkers.org/daily-kos-guild-alleges-bad-faith-in-buyout-layoff-negotiations/

#labor #union #mediaWork #DailyKosGuild #NewsGuild #CWA #CWAUnion

“We, members of the NewsGuild of New York, are coming together to address critical issues affecting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming workers in our newsrooms.”

Beyond #NYTTransSolidarity: the #NYGuild extends the call for media worker solidarity on trans rights. Members can sign here: https://bit.ly/transnewsguild

#journalism #mediaWork #solidarity #trans #labor #union #NewsGuild

“We, members of the NewsGuild of New York, are coming together to address critical issues affecting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming workers in our newsrooms.”

Beyond #NYTTransSolidarity: the #NYGuild extends the call for media worker solidarity on trans rights. Members can sign here: https://bit.ly/transnewsguild

#journalism #mediaWork #solidarity #trans #labor #union #NewsGuild

“We, members of the NewsGuild of New York, are coming together to address critical issues affecting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming workers in our newsrooms.”

Beyond #NYTTransSolidarity: the #NYGuild extends the call for media worker solidarity on trans rights. Members can sign here: https://bit.ly/transnewsguild

#journalism #mediaWork #solidarity #trans #labor #union #NewsGuild

“We, members of the NewsGuild of New York, are coming together to address critical issues affecting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming workers in our newsrooms.”

Beyond #NYTTransSolidarity: the #NYGuild extends the call for media worker solidarity on trans rights. Members can sign here: https://bit.ly/transnewsguild

#journalism #mediaWork #solidarity #trans #labor #union #NewsGuild

“We, members of the NewsGuild of New York, are coming together to address critical issues affecting trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming workers in our newsrooms.”

Beyond #NYTTransSolidarity: the #NYGuild extends the call for media worker solidarity on trans rights. Members can sign here: https://bit.ly/transnewsguild

#journalism #mediaWork #solidarity #trans #labor #union #NewsGuild

A fund has been created by the @Vox Media, Thrillist and The Dodo unions to support laid-off members. The fundraising goal is $100k; they’re currently at 10%. Please contribute if you can.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/vox-media-layoff-fund-2023

#union #solidarity #layoffs #mediaWork #Vox #VoxMediaUnion #Thrillist #ThrillistUnion #TheDodo #DodoUnion

Also newly firing up on Mastodon: @niemanlab, who a few days ago ran this great short piece about journalists and labor solidarity by my #FreelanceSolidarityProject / NWU union sibling Eric Thurm.

‘Publishers may tout the civic accomplishments of their papers, but journalistic values of transparency and openness fall by the wayside when they’re applied to keeping bargaining sessions open.’

https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/12/journalists-think-of-themselves-as-workers/

#pressFreedom #journalism #union #labor #mediaWorkers #mediaWork

Also newly firing up on Mastodon: @niemanlab, who a few days ago ran this great short piece about journalists and labor solidarity by my #FreelanceSolidarityProject / NWU union sibling Eric Thurm.

‘Publishers may tout the civic accomplishments of their papers, but journalistic values of transparency and openness fall by the wayside when they’re applied to keeping bargaining sessions open.’

https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/12/journalists-think-of-themselves-as-workers/

#pressFreedom #journalism #union #labor #mediaWorkers #mediaWork

Also newly firing up on Mastodon: @niemanlab, who a few days ago ran this great short piece about journalists and labor solidarity by my #FreelanceSolidarityProject / NWU union sibling Eric Thurm.

‘Publishers may tout the civic accomplishments of their papers, but journalistic values of transparency and openness fall by the wayside when they’re applied to keeping bargaining sessions open.’

https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/12/journalists-think-of-themselves-as-workers/

#pressFreedom #journalism #union #labor #mediaWorkers #mediaWork

Also newly firing up on Mastodon: @niemanlab, who a few days ago ran this great short piece about journalists and labor solidarity by my #FreelanceSolidarityProject / NWU union sibling Eric Thurm.

‘Publishers may tout the civic accomplishments of their papers, but journalistic values of transparency and openness fall by the wayside when they’re applied to keeping bargaining sessions open.’

https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/12/journalists-think-of-themselves-as-workers/

#pressFreedom #journalism #union #labor #mediaWorkers #mediaWork

Greetings! I'm a professor at UT-Austin, where I teach courses in #mediaindustries and #TVStudies. My research focuses on film, TV, & digital media production and distribution.

I also am Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Media Industries at Moody College.

#introduction #mediastudies #mediawork #Hollywood #mediahistory

Greetings! I'm a professor at UT-Austin, where I teach courses in #mediaindustries and #TVStudies. My research focuses on film, TV, & digital media production and distribution.

I also am Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Media Industries at Moody College.

#introduction #mediastudies #mediawork #Hollywood #mediahistory

Greetings! I'm a professor at UT-Austin, where I teach courses in #mediaindustries and #TVStudies. My research focuses on film, TV, & digital media production and distribution.

I also am Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Media Industries at Moody College.

#introduction #mediastudies #mediawork #Hollywood #mediahistory

Greetings! I'm a professor at UT-Austin, where I teach courses in #mediaindustries and #TVStudies. My research focuses on film, TV, & digital media production and distribution.

I also am Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Media Industries at Moody College.

#introduction #mediastudies #mediawork #Hollywood #mediahistory

Greetings! I'm a professor at UT-Austin, where I teach courses in #mediaindustries and #TVStudies. My research focuses on film, TV, & digital media production and distribution.

I also am Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Media Industries at Moody College.

#introduction #mediastudies #mediawork #Hollywood #mediahistory

If you’re a freelance media worker in N. America, you can add your name here as a demonstration of solidarity with the NYT NewsGuild, now preparing to walk out Thursday: https://forms.gle/5eKVZFr7fejk9nAp6

From the National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project, of which I’m a member.

A summary account of events & issues to date at Axios:
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/02/nyt-union-contract-walk-out-new-york-times

#union #labor #laborSolidarity #solidarity #NYTNewsGuild #equitablePay #mediaWork

If you’re a freelance media worker in N. America, you can add your name here as a demonstration of solidarity with the NYT NewsGuild, now preparing to walk out Thursday: https://forms.gle/5eKVZFr7fejk9nAp6

From the National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project, of which I’m a member.

A summary account of events & issues to date at Axios:
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/02/nyt-union-contract-walk-out-new-york-times

#union #labor #laborSolidarity #solidarity #NYTNewsGuild #equitablePay #mediaWork

If you’re a freelance media worker in N. America, you can add your name here as a demonstration of solidarity with the NYT NewsGuild, now preparing to walk out Thursday.

From the National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project, of which I’m a member.

https://forms.gle/5eKVZFr7fejk9nAp6

An account of events & issues to date by Axios:
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/02/nyt-union-contract-walk-out-new-york-times

#union #labor #laborSolidarity #solidarity #NYTNewsGuild #equitablePay #mediaWork

If you’re a freelance media worker in N. America, you can add your name here as a demonstration of solidarity with the NYT NewsGuild, now preparing to walk out Thursday: https://forms.gle/5eKVZFr7fejk9nAp6

From the National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project, of which I’m a member.

A summary account of events & issues to date at Axios:
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/02/nyt-union-contract-walk-out-new-york-times

#union #labor #laborSolidarity #solidarity #NYTNewsGuild #equitablePay #mediaWork