The Village Voice and the Past and Future of Alt-Weeklies

The Voice's decision to get rid of its print edition leads to a reckoning

The news earlier this week that The Village Voice was ending its print edition exists within a larger plane of shuttering or otherwise changed alt-weeklies. And while the Voice will go on in digital form, unlike other alt-weeklies that are closing for good, the decision nevertheless felt knell-like, inspiring both look backs on the Voice’s particular legacy and a reckoning on the alt-weekly’s future.

In Esquire, Luke O’Neil explains why. “The Village Voice was the publication that invented the concept of the alt-weekly newspaper, and indeed much of the irreverent, speaking-truth-to-power brand of journalism that we take for granted today,” he writes.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in