About The Backbone News

Who are you?

My name is Madisyn Parisi. I'm an independent journalist and feminist culture critic based in Maryland.

I'm the sole reporter and editor behind The Backbone News, and my work has also appeared in places like Assigned Media, The Objective, and Mothership.

I cover a variety of topics including tech, trans rights, policing, and sexual violence. You may know me from my original investigation into an AI conversation therapy chatbot, my interviews with people who have detransitioned, or even my occasional rants on dedicated nerd site bluesky dot com.

This site is dedicated to news that holds the powerful to account and uplifts marginalized people. I publish exclusive original investigations, as well as commentary on the topics filling up your feed.

Doing journalism differently

As billionaires and their corporations buy up more and more of the legacy media we used to trust, independent journalists are fighting for a better media.

The Backbone News is part of that fight. Following a long tradition of advocacy journalism, it aims to lead with transparency and challenge media norms about "objectivity," which are too often employed as an excuse to let bigotry and disinformation pollute the airwaves.

This journalism is reported from an antifascist and intersectional feminist perspective. That means no "both sides" bullshit. You don't have to identify with that perspective to read my work. But by being honest about it, I do something too much of our media doesn't bother with: I invite you to critically consider whose interests are served by the stories we tell.

For more detail on The Backbone's values, ethics, and standards, check back soon to see my Values and Standards page.

Join the good fight.

If this sounds like news you need, subscribe for free to the newsletter to make sure you never miss a story. You can also explore the archive of stories on the site, or show your support to The Backbone News by signing up for a paid subscription. For just five bucks a month, it gives you access to exclusive pieces, the ability to comment on articles, and most importantly, helps me keep the site free and accessible to every reader.

Contact Me

If you've got a tip on a story, a potential correction, or are interested in collaborating with me, you can reach out to me via email at backbonenews@proton.me or on Signal @marsbars.81. Both methods are encrypted. For sensitive tips, don't use a work device.