There were always independent journalists. The difference is in the past they had to sell stories to one of the publishers or broadcasts, where today they can deliver direct to the consumer.Independent journalists, I guess that's what we call them, are a new kind of news media. I think the emergence thereof flew under the radar of the fourth estate. They've controlled narratives and framing for a very long time, and their powers are threatened by those outside the fourth estate. Youtube and other social media platoforms have enabled just about anyone to report news.
I think the event signaling that they finally figured it out was when the Wall Street Journal put out that hit piece on PewDiePie. Of course it had the Streisand effect and helped PewDiePie gain even more subscribers. But it served as an excuse for Youtube to crack down who gets advertising dollars. They haven't solved the problem yet. I think the strategy has changed to use the old and tired demonizing approach. They call it fake news. They call it conspiracy theories. But it still doesn't help them.
The fourth estate is dead if they'd just let if ****ing die. With social media there's no need for an official news. Over the last few years especially, they've proven themselves incapable of telling the truth. Might as well take our chances with rando independent news guy on youtube.