{{Short description|American online politics and culture magazine}} {{Italic title}} {{Distinguish|Slant Magazine{{!}}''Slant Magazine''}} {{Use American English|date=December 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox website | name = ''Slate'' | logo = Slate new logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | screenshot = Slate.com screenshot (2024-12-05)-1.webp | screenshot_alt = Screenshot of Slate.com homepage in light mode | caption = Screenshot of the website in December 2024 | type = Online magazine | language = {{ubl|English|French}} | language_count = 2 | owner = The Slate Group | founder = Michael Kinsley | editor = Hillary Frey | url = {{ubl|{{URL|https://slate.com}}|{{URL|https://slate.fr}}}} | commercial = Yes | registration = {{ubl|Optional for Slate Plus and commenting only (US readers)|Metered paywall (non-US readers)}} | launch_date = {{start date and age|1996|06|24}} <!-- Per https://lookup.icann.org/whois?q=slate.com, 1995-02-21 --> | current_status = Active | issn = 1090-6584 | eissn = 1091-2339 | oclc = 728292344 }}
'''''Slate''''' is an online magazine that covers current affairs, politics, and culture in the United States. It was created in 1996 by Michael Kinsley with Microsoft's backing. In 2004, it was purchased by The Washington Post Company (later renamed the Graham Holdings Company), and since 2008 has been managed by The Slate Group, an online publishing entity created by Graham Holdings. ''Slate'' is based in New York City, with an additional office in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Slate Magazine: Private Company Information – Businessweek |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8200230 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403013359/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8200230 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |website=Bloomberg Business}}</ref>
{{As of|2025|post=,}} the magazine is both ad-supported and has a membership model with a metered paywall. It is known, and sometimes criticized, for adopting contrarian views, which gave rise to the term "Slate Pitches". It has a generally liberal editorial stance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nerkar |first=Santul |date=June 27, 2024 |title=How Partisan Media Outlets Are Previewing the Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/business/media/debate-liberal-conservative-media.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621234544/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/business/media/debate-liberal-conservative-media.html |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095 |quote="Writing for Slate, a liberal news site, (...)"}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shafer |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Shafer |date=October 29, 2008 |title=You're wasting your time worrying about the "liberal media." |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/10/you-re-wasting-your-time-worrying-about-the-liberal-media.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709083145/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/10/you-re-wasting-your-time-worrying-about-the-liberal-media.html |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Slate |issn=1091-2339 |quote="In theory, Slate is a quasi-liberal magazine about politics and culture that publishes opinion, interpretive journalism, essays, straight reporting, and more."}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Origin === ''Slate'' was founded on June 24, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Inaugural Issue of Slate New Interactive Magazine From Microsoft And Editor Michael Kinsley, to Debut Online Today |website=Microsoft |date=June 24, 1996 |url=https://news.microsoft.com/source/1996/06/24/inaugural-issue-of-slate-new-interactive-magazine-from-microsoft-and-editor-michael-kinsley-to-debut-online-today/ |access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kuczynski |first=Alex |title=Slate Drops Its On-Line Subscription Fee |website=The New York Times |date=1999-02-15 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/15/business/media-slate-drops-its-on-line-subscription-fee.html |access-date=2025-11-28 |quote="Slate was started in June 1996"}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |title=For $19.95, Slate Sees Who Its Friends Are |website=The New York Times |date=1998-03-30 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/30/business/for-19.95-slate-sees-who-its-friends-are.html |access-date=2025-11-28 |quote="Slate has planned to go paid since its inception in June 1996"}}</ref> by Michael Kinsley under the ownership of Microsoft. Kinsley wrote that one of the site's goals was proving that "the economies of cyberspace make it easier for our kind of journalism to pay for itself".<ref name="Tracy 2022">{{cite web |last=Tracy |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Tracy |date=January 5, 2022 |title=Slate's Top Editor, Jared Hohlt, Leaves After a Three-Year Run |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/business/media/slate-editor-jared-hohlt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102142209/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/business/media/slate-editor-jared-hohlt.html |archive-date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> The outlet was considered an early pioneer of digital journalism and popularized features such as hyperlinks and communications between writers and readers. The website received much user traffic from the MSN network through its relationship with Microsoft.<ref name="Carr 2004">{{cite web |last=Carr |first=David |author-link=David Carr (journalist) |date=July 23, 2004 |title=Microsoft Says It Is Exploring the Sale of Slate Magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/business/media/microsoft-says-it-is-exploring-the-sale-of-slate-magazine.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223210232/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/business/media/microsoft-says-it-is-exploring-the-sale-of-slate-magazine.html |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> In 1998, ''Slate'' introduced a paywall-based business model that attracted up to 20,000 subscribers but was later abandoned.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 1">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Leslie |date=March 24, 2014 |title=Slate to Introduce a Membership Plan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/business/media/slate-to-introduce-a-variation-on-the-paywall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107030056/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/business/media/slate-to-introduce-a-variation-on-the-paywall.html |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 4, 1998 |title=Slate Sets Off with 10,000 Paying Subscribers |url=https://www.wired.com/1998/03/slate-sets-off-with-10000-paying-subscribers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124122805/https://www.wired.com/1998/03/slate-sets-off-with-10000-paying-subscribers/ |archive-date=November 24, 2025 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |website=Wired |agency=Reuters}}</ref> The outlet achieved a profitable quarter in 2003 and broke even in 2004 with $6 million in revenue from six million monthly readers.<ref name="Carr 2004"/>
=== Graham Holdings ownership ===
In 2004, the magazine was purchased by The Washington Post Company.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carr |first=David |author-link=David Carr (journalist) |date=December 22, 2004 |title=Washington Post Company Buys Slate Magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/22/business/media/washington-post-company-buys-slate-magazine.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128164722/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/22/business/media/washington-post-company-buys-slate-magazine.html |archive-date=November 28, 2015 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref><ref name="NBC 2004">{{cite web |date=December 21, 2004 |title=Washington Post to buy Slate from Microsoft |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6741936 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630065220/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6741936 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |website=NBC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> An agreement in the purchase stipulated that the MSN website would continue to redirect to ''Slate''.<ref name="NBC 2004"/> It introduced ''Slate V'' in 2007, an online video magazine website.<ref name="Reuters 2008">{{cite web |date=March 17, 2008 |title=Slate to launch business site, "The Big Money" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/media-telecom/slate-to-launch-business-site-the-big-money-idUSN17405796/ |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Later, in 2008, The Washington Post Company launched The Slate Group, an online publishing entity, to manage ''Slate'' and other online magazines.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 4, 2008 |title=Washington Post unit to develop Web magazines |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/washington-post-unit-to-develop-web-magazines-idUSN04408974/ |access-date=November 26, 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> The same year, ''Slate'' launched ''The Root'', an African American news site, and "The Big Money", a business news website.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/>
In 2011, ''Slate'' switched their content management system from Gutenberg to Adobe CQ5.<ref name="Phelps 2011">{{cite web |last=Phelps |first=Andrew |date=September 29, 2011 |title=Clean Slate: How the online mag's tech director Dan Check fine-tuned a 15-year-old machine |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/09/clean-slate-how-the-online-mags-tech-director-dan-check-fine-tuned-a-15-year-old-machine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124121829/https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/09/clean-slate-how-the-online-mags-tech-director-dan-check-fine-tuned-a-15-year-old-machine/ |archive-date=November 24, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=Nieman Foundation for Journalism}}</ref> In the same year, the magazine laid off several high-profile journalists, including co-founder Jack Shafer and Timothy Noah (author of the ''Chatterbox'' column). At the time, it had around 40 full-time editorial staff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=August 25, 2011 |title=Slate magazine lays off Jack Shafer, Timothy Noah |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/slate-magazine-lays-off-jack-shafer-timothy-noah/2011/08/24/gIQAtCCgcJ_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115095024/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/slate-magazine-lays-off-jack-shafer-timothy-noah/2011/08/24/gIQAtCCgcJ_story.html |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |website=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
In 2012, then-editor David Plotz spoke at South by Southwest on ''Slate''{{'}}s efforts in running long-form journalism. Plotz discussed their commitment for all editors to spend four to six weeks each year to focus on a project, nicknamed "Fresca" projects, instead of working on news output.<ref name="Gandert 2010">{{cite web |last=Gandert |first=Sean |date=December 31, 2010 |title=Slate |url=https://www.cjr.org/news_startups_guide/2010/12/slate.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909142150/https://www.cjr.org/news_startups_guide/2010/12/slate.php |archive-date=September 9, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Columbia Journalism Review}}</ref> ''Slate'' also launched the "Slate Book Review", a monthly books section edited by Dan Kois,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bosman |first=Julie |date=March 2, 2012 |title=Slate to Begin a Monthly Review of Books |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/business/media/slate-to-begin-a-monthly-review-of-books.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227193805/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/business/media/slate-to-begin-a-monthly-review-of-books.html |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095 |quote="Slate will introduce a monthly book review on Friday (...) Dan Kois, a senior editor in the culture department, will oversee the book review"}}</ref> and a dedicated ad sales team.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moses |first=Lucia |date=August 27, 2012 |title='Slate' Gets a New Publisher |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/slate-gets-new-publisher-143124/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413120629/https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/slate-gets-new-publisher-143124/ |archive-date=April 13, 2025 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |website=Adweek |issn=0199-2864 |quote="Online magazine Slate recently created a dedicated sales force to capitalize on its traffic growth"}}</ref>
In 2013, the magazine was redesigned under the guidance of design director Vivian Selbo.<ref>{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Andrea |date=September 23, 2013 |title=I hate the new Slate. But it wasn't designed for me. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2013/09/23/i-hate-the-new-slate-but-it-wasnt-designed-for-me/ |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> After The Washington Post Company sold The Washington Post to Jeff Bezos in 2013, ''Slate''{{'}}s parent company was renamed to Graham Holdings, which continued to own the magazine ''Slate''.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 1"/>
In 2014, it was estimated that the website had 30 million visitors monthly.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 2">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Leslie |date=July 14, 2014 |title=Julia Turner Is Named Editor in Chief of Slate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/business/media/julia-turner-is-named-editor-in-chief-of-slate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241001015916/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/15/business/media/julia-turner-is-named-editor-in-chief-of-slate.html |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> The same year, ''Slate'' introduced a paywall system called "Slate Plus", offering ad-free podcasts and bonus materials.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 1" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Andrea |date=April 21, 2014 |title=Slate, left behind in The Post's Bezos buyout, models its subscription service on Amazon Prime |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2014/04/21/slate-left-behind-in-the-posts-bezos-buyout-models-its-subscription-service-on-amazon-prime/ |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> A year later, it had attracted 9,000 subscribers, generating about $500,000 in annual revenue.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 8, 2015 |title=One year in, Slate draws 9,000 paying subscribers |url=https://digiday.com/media/slates-membership-program-one-year-qualified-hit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814054338/https://digiday.com/media/slates-membership-program-one-year-qualified-hit/ |archive-date=August 14, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=Digiday |quote="Slate said it has gotten more than 9,000 members, which, it said, has exceeded expectations. Still, the numbers aren't eye-opening, representing an annual revenue intake of about $500,000"}}</ref> By September 2014, ''Slate'' became profitable after preceding years had seen layoffs and falling ad revenue.<ref name="Levy 2014">{{cite web |last=Levy |first=Nicole |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Long-serving deputy Julia Turner takes the reins at Slate |url=https://www.politico.com/media/story/2014/09/long-serving-deputy-julia-turner-takes-the-reins-at-slate-002912/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407201350/https://www.politico.com/media/story/2014/09/long-serving-deputy-julia-turner-takes-the-reins-at-slate-002912/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=Politico}}</ref> ''Slate'' then moved all content behind a metered paywall for international readers in June 2015, attributing the change to advertisers targeting domestic readers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Julia |author-link=Julia Turner (journalist) |date=June 8, 2015 |title=A Change to Slate for International Readers |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/06/slates-new-international-paywall-how-it-will-work-for-readers-abroad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251127060205/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/06/slates-new-international-paywall-how-it-will-work-for-readers-abroad.html |archive-date=November 27, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Slate |issn=1091-2339 |quote="Slate is rolling out a paywall for international users. (...) The paywall will be metered, which means that you can read five stories every month for free. (...) Our U.S.-based sales team sells primarily to domestic advertisers, many of whom only want to reach a domestic audience."}}</ref>
In 2018, ''Slate'' staff members joined the Writers Guild of America, East. After union members authorized a strike, ''Slate'' agreed to a three-year collective bargaining agreement in January 2019.<ref name="Peiser 2019">{{cite web |last=Peiser |first=Jaclyn |date=March 6, 2019 |title=Slate Picks a Skilled Storyteller as Its New Top Editor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/06/business/media/slate-jared-hohlt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006202016/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/06/business/media/slate-jared-hohlt.html |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2019 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref>
In 2021, Mike Pesca, host of the podcast ''The Gist'', was suspended from ''Slate'' after a Slack discussion on Donald G. McNeil Jr. and the usage of a racial slur,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Katie |last2=Smith |first2=Ben |author-link2=Ben Smith (journalist) |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Slate Suspends Mike Pesca of "The Gist" After Debate Over Racial Slur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/business/media/slate-mike-pesca-suspended.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930201945/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/business/media/slate-mike-pesca-suspended.html |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wemple |first=Erik |author-link=Erik Wemple |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Slate clarifies guidelines on use of racial slurs following suspension of podcaster Mike Pesca |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/26/slate-mike-pesca-racial-slurs-guidelines/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> ultimately parting ways and taking his podcast independent.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wemple |first=Erik |author-link=Erik Wemple |date=September 3, 2021 |title=Slate and Mike Pesca have agreed to 'part ways' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/03/slate-mike-pesca-part-ways-investigation-n-word/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318002226/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/03/slate-mike-pesca-part-ways-investigation-n-word/ |archive-date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |quote="Podcast host Mike Pesca and Slate have 'mutually agreed to part ways' (...) Pesca will take his podcast, 'The Gist,' to an independent platform."}}</ref>
On September 16, 2025, ''Slate'' filed a lawsuit against Google over alleged antitrust violations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poritz |first=Isaiah |date=September 16, 2025 |title=Slate Magazine Sues Google After Digital Ads Antitrust Ruling |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/slate-magazine-sues-google-after-digital-ads-antitrust-ruling |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251127023022/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/slate-magazine-sues-google-after-digital-ads-antitrust-ruling |archive-date=November 27, 2025 |access-date=September 17, 2025 |website=Bloomberg Law |quote="News company Slate Group LLC sued Google LLC over antitrust violations in Manhattan federal court Tuesday"}}</ref>
== slate.fr == In February 2009, slate.fr, a French-language offshoot of ''Slate'', was launched. Its five founders were: Le Monde editors Jean-Marie Colombani and {{ill|Éric Leser|fr}}, Libération and 20 minutes editor {{ill|Johan Hufnagel|fr}}, Les Echos editor {{ill|Éric Le Boucher|fr}}, and political advisor Jacques Attali. The founders held fifty percent in the publishing company, while The Washington Post Company held 15 percent.<ref>{{cite web |last=Andrews |first=Robert |date=February 15, 2009 |title=Interview: Jacob Weisberg, Chairman, Slate Group: Breaking Out Of The Beltway |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/interview-jacob-weisberg-chairman-slate-group-breaking-out-of-the-beltway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918044538/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/interview-jacob-weisberg-chairman-slate-group-breaking-out-of-the-beltway/ |archive-date=September 18, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Beaugrand |first=Raphaël |date=February 10, 2009 |title=Slate.fr: Jean-Marie Colombani à l'assaut du Web, actualité Tech & Net |url=http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-technologie-internet/2009-02-11/slate-fr-jean-marie-colombani-a-l-assaut-du-web/1387/0/315818 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417130105/http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-technologie-internet/2009-02-11/slate-fr-jean-marie-colombani-a-l-assaut-du-web/1387/0/315818 |archive-date=April 17, 2009 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |magazine=Le Point |language=fr}}</ref> In 2011, slate.fr started a separate site covering African news, ''Slate Afrique'', with a Paris-based editorial staff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bryant |first=Lisa |date=January 13, 2012 |title=Paris-Based Slate Afrique Celebrates 1st Anniversary |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/paris-based-slate-afrique-celebrates-1st-anniversary-137285803/150634.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250903213612/https://www.voanews.com/a/paris-based-slate-afrique-celebrates-1st-anniversary-137285803/150634.html |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Voice of America |quote="One of the youngest pan-Africa publications is celebrating its one-year anniversary. A French-language spinoff of popular Internet magazine Slate.com, Slate Afrique aims to bring quality news to African and foreign readers. (...) Slate Afrique is currently based in Paris"}}</ref>
== Content ==
=== Reputation for counterintuitive arguments ("Slate pitches") ===
Since 2006,<ref>{{cite web |last=Weisberg |first=Jacob |author-link=Jacob Weisberg |date=June 19, 2006 |title=Are you a member of the Slate club? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2006/06/are-you-a-member-of-the-slate-club.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401031809/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2006/06/are-you-a-member-of-the-slate-club.html |archive-date=April 1, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Slate |issn=1091-2339 |quote="[One way to be a Slatey writer] is to make the contrarian case that all the common assumptions about a subject are simply and hopelessly wrong."}}</ref> ''Slate'' has been known for publishing contrarian pieces arguing against commonly held views about a subject, giving rise to the #slatepitches Twitter hashtag in 2009.<ref name="Levy 2014"/> The ''Columbia Journalism Review'' defined ''Slate'' pitches as "an idea that sounds wrong or counterintuitive proposed as though it were the tightest logic ever".<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldenberg |first=Kira |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Stop trolling your readers |url=https://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/trolling_readers.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125141620/https://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/trolling_readers.php |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |access-date=October 16, 2014 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |quote="The hate-share headline is a devious twist on the time-honored "#slatepitch," an idea that sounds wrong or counterintuitive proposed as though it were the tightest logic ever."}}</ref> In 2014, ''Slate''{{'}}s then editor-in-chief, Julia Turner, acknowledged that a reputation for counterintuitive arguments forms part of ''Slate''{{'}}s "distinctive" brand, but argued that the hashtag misrepresents the site's journalism.<ref name="Levy 2014"/>
In 2019, ''Slate'' editors such as David Plotz said that the ''Slate'' pitch had become difficult due to the polarizing politics of the Trump administration.<ref>{{cite web |last=Uberti |first=David |date=January 16, 2019 |title=The future of the #SlatePitch in Trump's world |url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/slate-magazine-podcast-trump-staff-departures.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926155609/https://www.cjr.org/analysis/slate-magazine-podcast-trump-staff-departures.php |archive-date=September 26, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |quote="'Is there a place for a contrarian take in a hyperpartisan world where there's an appalling president [Trump] (...)' (...) But he [Plotz], Weisberg, and current Slate writers are right that the old sensibility has lost some of its purchase"}}</ref> In 2022, ''The New York Times'' reported that anonymous ''Slate'' staffers felt that the publication's reputation for contrarian views had diminished over the years.<ref name="Robertson 2022">{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Katie |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Slate, the Pioneering Web Magazine, Struggles to Find Identity and Profit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/business/media/slate-departures.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723164212/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/business/media/slate-departures.html |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095 |quote="Slate once stood out as a home for contrarian takes and intellectual debate, but that distinction has faded in recent years, they [three anonymous ''Slate'' staffers] said."}}</ref> Former Slate writer Matthew Yglesias concurred with this reporting, stating that the journalism industry had become homogeneous in recent times.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |author-link=Matthew Yglesias |date=February 17, 2022 |title=The regrettable death of the Slatepitch |url=https://www.slowboring.com/p/slatepitch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128005140/https://www.slowboring.com/p/slatepitch |archive-date=November 28, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Slow Boring |quote="Katie Robertson of the New York Times recently wrote about my former employer Slate (...) That's [Slate pitch] something Slate has sort of lost. But more than just Slate, I feel like it's been lost by the internet as a whole."}}</ref>
=== Podcasts === {{see also|Panoply Media}}
According to the Nieman Foundation for Journalism, ''Slate'' has been involved in podcasts "almost from the very beginning" of the medium. Its first podcast, ''Political Gabfest'', was released in 2005 and was inspired by ''Slate''{{'}}s editorial conference calls. ''Slate'' podcasts have gotten longer over the years. The original ''Gabfest'' ran 15 minutes; by 2012, most ran about 45 minutes. In 2012, it was reported that ''Slate''{{'}}s podcasts had the highest advertisement and sell-through rates of their content on account of high user engagement.<ref name="Phelps 2012">{{cite web |last=Phelps |first=Andrew |date=June 4, 2012 |title=Slate doubles down on podcasts, courting niche audiences and happy advertisers |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2012/06/slate-doubles-down-on-podcasts-courting-niche-audiences-and-happy-advertisers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001114849/https://www.niemanlab.org/2012/06/slate-doubles-down-on-podcasts-courting-niche-audiences-and-happy-advertisers/ |archive-date=October 1, 2025 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |website=Nieman Foundation for Journalism}}</ref>
By June 2012, ''Slate'' had expanded their lineup to 19 podcasts, with ''Political Gabfest'' and ''Culture Gabfest'' being the most popular.<ref name="Phelps 2012"/> This count had shrunk to 14 by February 2015, with all receiving six million downloads per month.<ref name="Owens 2015">{{cite web |last=Owens |first=Andrew |date=February 6, 2015 |title=Slate's podcast audience has tripled in a year, and its bet on audio over video continues to pay off |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2015/02/slates-podcast-audience-has-tripled-in-a-year-and-its-bet-on-audio-over-video-continues-to-pay-off/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823204717/https://www.niemanlab.org/2015/02/slates-podcast-audience-has-tripled-in-a-year-and-its-bet-on-audio-over-video-continues-to-pay-off/ |archive-date=August 23, 2025 |access-date=February 6, 2015 |website=Nieman Foundation for Journalism}}</ref> In 2018, it offered a slate of 25 podcasts.<ref name="Peiser 2018">{{cite web |last=Peiser |first=Jaclyn |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Jacob Weisberg Leaves Slate to Join Malcolm Gladwell in Podcast Venture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/12/business/media/jacob-weisberg-slate-malcolm-gladwell.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822231401/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/12/business/media/jacob-weisberg-slate-malcolm-gladwell.html |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095 |quote="It now offers 25 podcasts, including "Slate Political Gabfest," which has been running for 13 years; "Trumpcast," which is co-hosted by Mr. Weisberg; and "Slow Burn," (...)"}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}} * ''Amicus''<ref name="Barber 2022">{{cite web |last=Barber |first=Kayleigh |date=July 26, 2022 |title=How Slate's Charlie Kammerer is prioritizing frequency to boost podcast revenue |url=https://digiday.com/media/how-slates-charlie-krammerer-is-prioritizing-frequency-to-boost-podcast-revenue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250618094238/https://digiday.com/media/how-slates-charlie-krammerer-is-prioritizing-frequency-to-boost-podcast-revenue/ |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Digiday}}</ref> * ''Audio Book Club''<ref>{{cite web |last=Dockterman |first=Eliana |date=July 23, 2025 |title='Slate's Audio Book Club' Is on The 100 Best Podcasts of All Time |url=https://time.com/collections/100-best-podcasts/7303119/slates-audio-book-club/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731105703/https://time.com/collections/100-best-podcasts/7303119/slates-audio-book-club/ |archive-date=July 31, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Time}}</ref> * ''Culture Gabfest''<ref name="Phelps 2012"/><ref name="Owens 2015"/> * ''Decoder Ring'' – with Willa Paskin<ref name="Barber 2022"/> * ''Hang Up and Listen'' – sports<ref name="Tracy 2022"/><ref name="Phelps 2012"/> * ''Lexicon Valley'' – language issues<ref name="Phelps 2012"/> * ''Manners for the Digital Age''<ref name="Phelps 2012"/> * ''Money''<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Leslie |date=May 5, 2014 |title=Slate Raising Its Investment in Podcasts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/business/media/slate-raising-its-investment-in-podcasts.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017055152/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/business/media/slate-raising-its-investment-in-podcasts.html |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> * ''Negotiation Academy''<ref name="Phelps 2012"/> * ''One Year'' – discussion of affairs from a given year<ref name="Barber 2022"/> * ''Political Gabfest''<ref name="Phelps 2012"/><ref name="Owens 2015"/><ref name="Peiser 2018"/> * ''Spoiler Specials'' – film discussion<ref name="Owens 2015"/> * ''Studio 360'' – pop culture and the arts, in partnership with Public Radio International<ref>{{cite web |last=Falk |first=Tyler |date=June 27, 2017 |title=Slate will take over co-producer role with 'Studio 360' |url=https://current.org/2017/06/slate-will-take-over-co-producer-role-with-studio-360/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011180715/https://current.org/2017/06/slate-will-take-over-co-producer-role-with-studio-360/ |archive-date=October 11, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Current}}</ref> * ''The Gist''<ref name="Owens 2015"/> * ''Thirst Aid Kit''<ref>{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Sanjay |date=December 6, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Nichole Perkins And Bim Adewunmi's 'Thirst Aid Kit' Is Joining Slate |url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/nichole-perkins-bim-adewunmi-thirst-aid-kit-joining-slate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002115624/https://www.essence.com/entertainment/nichole-perkins-bim-adewunmi-thirst-aid-kit-joining-slate/ |archive-date=October 2, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Essence}}</ref> * ''Trumpcast''<ref name="Peiser 2018"/> * ''Slow Burn''<ref name="Peiser 2018"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Quah |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Quah |date=January 11, 2018 |title=Slow Burn Is the Watergate Podcast You Didn't Know You Needed |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/podcast-review-slow-burn.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522042059/https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/podcast-review-slow-burn.html |archive-date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Vulture |quote="Slow Burn, a new limited series podcast from Slate, (...)"}}</ref><ref name="Barber 2022"/> * ''What's next''<ref name="Tracy 2022"/> {{div col end}}
=== Recurring features === {{div col|colwidth=14em}} * Assessment * Books * Dear Prudence (advice column) * Dispatches * Drink * Food * Foreigners * Gaming * Science Denial * Shopping * The Good Word (language) * The Movie Club * The TV Club * Slatest (news aggregator) {{div col end}}
== Reception == The Nieman Foundation for Journalism regarded the outlet as the "web's oldest living magazine".<ref name="Phelps 2011"/> In 2004, ''The New York Times'' opined that the publication produced "well-regarded journalism".<ref name="Carr 2004"/> In 2010, the ''Columbia Journalism Review'' commended ''Slate''{{'}}s high-quality editorial standards and praised its usage of interactive and multimedia content, calling them "consistently innovative, and often a big hit with readers".<ref name="Gandert 2010"/> In 2019, ''The New York Times'' wrote that ''Slate'' was known for "counterintuitive analysis and its many podcasts".<ref name="Peiser 2019"/> In 2022, Katie Robertson of the ''New York Times'' noted ''Slate'' was known for its "smart analysis, interesting debate and top-tier journalistic talent".<ref name="Robertson 2022"/>
=== Accolades === In 2003, ''Slate'' won the National Magazine Award (NMA) for General Excellence.<ref name="Carr 2004"/> ''Slate'' was also nominated for four digital National Magazine Awards in 2011 and won the NMA for General Excellence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pardee |first=Thomas |date=March 16, 2011 |title=Epicurious, Slate, Esquire Win Big at Digital National Magazine Awards |url=https://adage.com/article/media/epicurious-slate-esquire-win-big-digital-ellies/149432/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929161410/https://adage.com/article/media/epicurious-slate-esquire-win-big-digital-ellies/149432 |archive-date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Ad Age |quote="two got that prize [for general excellence in digital media] this year: (...) [Epicurious] and Slate, in the news and opinion category. (...) Slate and National Geographic had the most nominations, with four each."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 17, 2011 |title=Check Out The Winners Of This Year's National Magazine Awards For Digital Media |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/national-magazine-awards-for-digital-media-2011-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627060616/https://www.businessinsider.com/national-magazine-awards-for-digital-media-2011-3 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Business Insider |quote="Now behold the winners. (...) General Excellence, News & Opinion - Slate"}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2014, ''Slate'' was nominated for an NMA 14 times, winning the award twice.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 2"/> ''Slate'' received an NMA for general excellence in 2016.<ref name="Peiser 2019"/> ''Slate''{{'}}s investment in podcasts has led to receiving some awards, including ''Slow Burn'' and ''Political Gabfest''.<ref name="Fischer 2022">{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Sara |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Slate taps Hillary Frey as new editor-in-chief |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/05/11/slate-hillary-frey-new-editor-in-chief |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709071225/https://www.axios.com/2022/05/11/slate-hillary-frey-new-editor-in-chief |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |work=Axios}}</ref>
==== National Magazine Awards ==== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Category !Article(s) !Author(s) !{{Reference column heading}} |- |2003 |General Excellence, Digital Media |N/A |N/A | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.magazine.org/asme/national-magazine-award-winners-1966-2015 |title=National Magazine Award Winners 1966-2015 {{!}} ASME |website=www.magazine.org |access-date=2017-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909225146/http://www.magazine.org/asme/national-magazine-award-winners-1966-2015 |archive-date=2015-09-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2011 |General Excellence, Digital Media |N/A |N/A |- |2013 |Columns and Commentary |[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/03/the-supreme-court-is-more-concerned-with-the-politics-of-the-health-care-debate-than-the-law.html It’s Not About the Law, Stupid]", "[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/03/supreme-court-and-obamacare-why-the-conservatives-are-skeptical-of-the-affordable-care-act.html The Supreme Court’s Dark Vision of Freedom]", "[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/07/while-conservatives-are-furious-about-john-roberts-health-care-decision-liberals-are-silent-about-the-defections-from-the-supreme-courts-liberal-justices.html Where Is The Liberal Outrage?]" |Dahlia Lithwick |- |2016 |Podcasting |''Slow Burn'': "[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/08/slow-burn-season-2-the-clinton-impeachment-saga-was-crazier-than-we-remember.html Deal or No Deal]", "[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/slow-burn-season-2-episode-5-transcript.html Tell-All]", "[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/slow-burn-season-2-episode-8-transcript.html Move On]" |N/A |<ref>{{cite web |title=New Yorker, Times Magazine and Topic Win Top Honors at National Magazine Awards |url=https://asme.memberclicks.net/new-yorker--times-magazine-and-topic-win-top-honors-at-national-magazine-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815070622/https://asme.memberclicks.net/new-yorker--times-magazine-and-topic-win-top-honors-at-national-magazine-awards |archive-date=August 15, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=American Society of Magazine Editors}}</ref> |}
=== Controversies ===
==== "Monkeyfishing" ====
On June 7, 2001, ''Slate'' published an article by Jay Forman of a practice of fisherman from an island in the Florida Keys of fishing for rhesus monkeys.<ref name="Kuczynski 2001">{{cite web |last=Kuczynski |first=Alex |title=Tortured Tale Of Journalism And Monkeys |website=The New York Times |date=2001-06-25 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/25/business/tortured-tale-of-journalism-and-monkeys.html |access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal''<ref>{{cite web |title=Slate's Monkeyshine |website=OpinionJournal |date=2001-06-27 |url=http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=95000711 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010721113725/http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=95000711 |archive-date=2001-07-21 |url-status=dead |access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref> and ''The New York Times''<ref name="Kuczynski 2001"/> found the claim to be a hoax after investigation. Later, Forman admitted to his editor, Jack Shafer, that his claim had been fabricated.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ivry |first=Sara |title='Monkey Fishing' Author Admits to Falsehood |website=The New York Times |date=2007-02-12 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/business/media/12monkey.html |access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref>
== Staff == Michael Kinsley was ''Slate''{{'}}s founder and served as its first editor-in-chief from 1996 to 2002. He was followed by Jacob Weisberg, who held the position from 2002 to 2008. Afterward, David Plotz became editor until July 2014, when he was replaced by Julia Turner.<ref name="Kaufman 2014 2"/> After Turner resigned in 2019 to join the Los Angeles Times, Jared Hohlt became editor on April 1, 2019.<ref name="Peiser 2019"/>
Former HuffPost editor Hillary Frey was named as the magazine's new editor-in-chief in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Katie |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Slate Names Ex-HuffPost Editor as Its New Top Editor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/11/business/media/hillary-frey-slate-editor-in-chief.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627183104/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/11/business/media/hillary-frey-slate-editor-in-chief.html |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=The New York Times |quote="Slate has named Hillary Frey, a former top editor at HuffPost, as its new editor in chief."}}</ref><ref name="Fischer 2022"/>
=== Key executives === * Hillary Frey (editor in chief)<ref name="Masthead">{{cite web |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Who We Are |url=https://slate.com/masthead |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804093724/https://slate.com/masthead |archive-date=August 4, 2025 |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=Slate}}</ref> * Dan Check (chief executive officer)<ref name="Masthead" />
=== Notable contributors and departments === {{Div col|colwidth=23em}} * Anne Applebaum (Foreigners) * John Dickerson (Politics) * Simon Doonan (Fashion) * Stefan Fatsis (Hang Up and Listen) * Ashley Feinberg (Politics) * Daniel Gross (The Juice) * David Greenberg (History Lesson) * Margo Howard (Dear Prudence 1998–2006) * Fred Kaplan (War Stories)<ref name="Masthead" /> * Juliet Lapidos (Books / Explainer / Brow Beat) * Dahlia Lithwick (Jurisprudence)<ref name="Masthead" /> * Michael Moran (Reckoning / Foreign Policy) * Timothy Noah (The Customer) * Meghan O'Rourke (The Highbrow/Grieving) * Daniel M. Lavery (Dear Prudence 2015–2021) * Robert Pinsky (poetry editor) * Phil Plait (Bad Astronomy / Science) * Ron Rosenbaum (Spectator) * William Saletan (Human Nature) * Jack Shafer (Press Box) * Eliot Spitzer (The Best Policy) * Herbert Stein (Dear Prudence 1997–1998) * Mike Steinberger (Drink) * Dana Stevens (Surfergirl through 2005/Movies)<ref name="Masthead" /> * James Surowiecki (The Book Club) * Leon Neyfakh (Podcast) * Tom Vanderbilt (Transport) * Jacob Weisberg (The Big Idea) * Tim Wu (Technology/Jurisprudence) * Emily Yoffe (Dear Prudence 2006–2015, Human Guinea Pig) * Reihan Salam (Politics) * Laura Miller (Books and Culture)<ref name="Masthead" /> * Carl Wilson (Music) {{Div col end}}
=== Past contributors === {{Div col|colwidth=15em}} * Emily Bazelon * Jamelle Bouie * Pete Buttigieg * Paul Boutin * Ian Bremmer * Phil Carter * David Edelstein * Franklin Foer * Sasha Frere-Jones * Atul Gawande * Austan Goolsbee * David Greenberg * Robert Lane Greene * Virginia Heffernan * David Helvarg * Christopher Hitchens * Jodi Kantor * Mickey Kaus * Patrick Radden Keefe * Paul Krugman * Steven Landsburg * Will Leitch * Farhad Manjoo * Louis Menand * Helaine Olen * Mike Pesca * David Plotz * Daniel Radosh * Bruce Reed * Jody Rosen * James Surowiecki * Julia Turner * Josh Voorhees * Rob Walker * David Weigel * Robert Wright * Matthew Yglesias * Fareed Zakaria {{Div col end}}
== See also == * ''Salon.com''—A similar online magazine
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Slate (magazine)}} * {{Official website|https://slate.com}} * [https://www.slate.fr/ ''Slate''] {{in lang|fr}}
{{Graham}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Slate (magazine)}} Category:American political websites Category:Cultural magazines published in the United States Category:Graham Holdings Category:Magazines established in 1996 Category:Magazines published in New York City Category:Online magazines published in the United States Category:Podcasting companies Category:Political magazines published in the United States