Independent journalists face financial constraints in sending reporters for on-ground investigations due to lack of funds and resources, unlike larger media corporations. To address this, subscription models like Substack and platforms like Patreon offer viable solutions to free journalists from the pressure of generating clicks and embracing a more in-depth storytelling approach. The shift towards paying for journalism is crucial as the free model has led to a decline in journalistic quality as outlets favor mass production over quality content in the digital age.