Speedy Morman Leaves Complex, Joins Independent Journalism Wave

0:00It's April 28th. This is Entertainment and Celebrity News. Today, AI powered stories from the Spotlight. Speedy Mormon just announced he's leaving complex after a 10-year run, including his show 360 with Speedy. On April 27th, he shared that he's going independent to chase new partnerships and keep interviewing folks on a deeper level. It's a big move for the journalist, who's betting on himself like so many others. This spits a larger wave of black journalists ditching traditional outlets amid layoffs, acquisitions, and the death of old media models. With people skipping newspapers and cable for phone videos and podcasts, newsrooms that didn't adapt fast enough are crumbling. Folks like Kayla Greaves, who started her own newsletter, point to newsrooms blocking talent from going digital early on. Phillip Lewis, head of the Washington Association of Black Journalists, sees widespread disillusionment while Gia Peppers went freelance back in 2016 after seeing how quick pubs can cut staff.

1:00The upside of independence? No boss is hovering, direct lines to audiences, and owning your platform, especially with billionaires tweaking social algorithms. Grease and Peppers love sharing stories on their terms through YouTube, newsletters, and pods, turning skills into real money. Still, it's not a full fix for the industry. Let's say solo hustles can replace teams of reporters and editors chasing big stories, pushing for journalist-owned co-ops or funded social first. Platforms the key quality journalism alive.