The 404 Media Podcast 404 Media Live: NYC!
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Aug 28, 2025 The hosts celebrate their second anniversary, reflecting on their impactful journalism journey over the past year. They dive into the unsettling effects of AI on mental health and discuss journalist safety amid legal threats. The ethics of tech companies, particularly Palantir's controversial ties, spark lively debate. Humorously, they navigate online discourse pitfalls and share their early podcasting challenges. Finally, they reflect on the joys of community connections and the need for online privacy amid growing AI surveillance.
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Humble Startup Origins
- The founders started 404 Media with minimal tech and $1k each, using Ghost and lean ops.
- They built subscribers-first journalism that quickly funded fuller reporting and hires.
Subscriber‑First Business Model
- Their core business model is simple: do rigorous journalism and convert readers into subscribers.
- That lean, reader-funded approach has kept the company financially viable.
Reporting With Real Impact
- 404 Media’s reporting exposed Flock, AI ad failures, and scraped data lawsuits, prompting policy and legal fallout.
- Their work spurred investigations, bans, and corporate pushback across multiple stories.