We believe in writing and criticism in service of liberation.

The Flytrap is bringing principled and diverse cultural criticism and feminist reporting back to the internet. After a once-robust flowering of online feminist-rooted publications during the 2000s and 2010s, a dwindling number of sites, newsletters, podcasts, and other media are offering thoughtful, intentional work that sparks joy, excitement, curiosity, and introspection. That is our work, rather than click/rage-bait, SEO/algorithm-oriented content, and one-sided communication. We aim for quality, not quantity, with a few deep reads every week that invite time for reading and thinking, not bouncing to the next story.

This is an era in which media are under attack from all sides: A torrent of disinformation, an “AI” boom, chronic underfunding, sloppy editorial practices, the implosion of social media, a right-wing retrenchment fueled in part by big tech. At times, it feels as though the joy is being sucked out of the internet, with every news outlet focusing on feeding the maw of the algorithm and a shrinking number of journalists facing an uncertain future in an industry circled by venture capital and private equity seeking quick profits. We want to go against the flow, to surprise and delight, not produce “content” for the endlessly churning media whirlpool. We also want to contribute to a long tradition of provocative, sometimes challenging feminist media that expands the minds of readers.

We are a leaderful worker-owned collective that operates on a rotating cycle of responsibilities, with each member having an opportunity to learn new skills and all members understanding all roles to cultivate an atmosphere of mutual empathy and respect. Whether a member is an experienced journalist of decades, a National Magazine Award honoree, or a fresh new voice, they are valued and respected as an equal with valuable perspectives to bring to the table. 

We are excited to join a moment of flowering for sustainable, independent, worker-owned media, including friends, comrades, and fellow travelers at publications such Flaming Hydra, Defector, The Aftermath, 404 Media, and Hearing Things. 

Our commitment to our readers: Readers — whom we’re choosing to call fliers — make the Flytrap what it is. We owe readers the same duty of care we owe each other. Our accountability to readers includes a Readers’ Ombud/Editor, Christine Grimaldi aka Your Ombudsmom, to act as a clear line of communication between readers, contributors, and core leadership. We’re also maintaining clear lines of communication via comments and email, along with opportunities for subscribers to join us on quarterly editorial calls. 

Logistically, this also includes a commitment to factual accuracy, honest corrections, and thoughtful responses to good-faith criticism. Each article also includes a detailed colophon so readers can see who worked on it. Accessibility, including provision of content via accessible platforms and the use of accessibility tools such as alt text in our work, is also core to our values. We also agree to abide by best practices reporting recommendations from entities such as the Trans Journalists Association, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Who Not When, the Transgender Law Center, the National Center on Disability and Journalism, and other organizations providing guidance on stylistic best practices. 

Our commitment to our contributors: We treat freelance contributors including artists, writers, other creative professionals, and those providing professional services such as accounting with courtesy, dignity, and respect, including timely communication and pay. Our contributor agreements are currently in development and will include consultation with the National Writers’ Union, in alignment with freelance agreements at fellow independent media publications such as Defector. 

Our commitment to each other: We value and center diversity of lived experience and professional skills as a collective from a mix of backgrounds, communities, and philosophies. All of the roles within our collective are clearly defined to set mutual expectations and we regularly revisit these expectations to ensure they are aligned with actual practice. We remain accountable to each other to create a supportive, affirming, and respectful collaborative work environment, including conflict resolution rooted in restorative justice approaches, when relevant. 

We recognize that in an era of struggling media properties as well as experimental approaches to building sustainable media brands, there are a variety of risks in any media enterprise. These include financial constraints that need to be navigated transparently and equitably; the possibility of editorial and interpersonal conflicts that require an engaged, collaborative problem solving approach; potential missteps in coverage or conversation that must be acknowledged and addressed; legal exposure; and closure and loss of archives requiring proactive mitigation to preserve content. 

We work with each other on anticipating and addressing as well as responding to risks.  

We’re currently finalizing an ethics policy that we’ll share here on the website once it’s ready to go.