404 Media Live! The Three Year Anniversary Show

404 Media celebrates its third anniversary with a live event recorded at WNYC's Greene Space in New York. The episode features the 404 Media team reflecting on three years of investigative journalism, discussing accomplishments made possible through listener support, and addressing what lies ahead for the outlet. The format includes a mystery AMA box where audience members submit questions that the hosts answer live, adding an interactive element to the celebration. The show touches on broader themes of uncertainty—"whether or not we're all going to be okay"—suggesting discussion of current events and challenges facing independent media. The episode references several 404 Media projects: a zine about ICE surveillance, a Super Bowl advertisement, and other investigative work. The live event captures the energy of an in-person gathering with what the notes describe as "weird bugs and community resistance," hinting at technical difficulties or audience engagement moments. The episode is available both as audio and video (on YouTube), allowing listeners to experience it in their preferred format. A sponsor, DeleteMe (a privacy protection service), supported the event, with a promotional code offered to listeners. The show notes emphasize community connection and transparency about the outlet's direction, positioning this as both a celebration and a moment of reflection about the state of independent journalism and the broader world.

Verdict: A solid anniversary celebration that delivers on its promise and offers community connection, but limited investigative substance and unclear depth make it primarily valuable for existing 404 Media supporters rather than general news listeners.

News rubric

• Accuracy and sourcing n/a

  Show notes provide no specific claims to verify; they describe format and themes rather than factual assertions

• Balance and context n/a

  Notes don't indicate whether multiple perspectives are presented or how context is framed

• Timeliness and relevance 3/5 25%

  Anniversary retrospective is relevant to 404 Media's audience and touches on current concerns (ICE surveillance, media sustainability)

• Substance 3/5 25%

  Live event format with audience Q&A and project highlights provides content, but notes suggest it's primarily celebratory rather than deeply investigative

• Delivers on its title 5/5 25%

  Title explicitly promises a three-year anniversary show; notes confirm it delivers exactly that with retrospective, accomplishments, and future direction

• Value for time 3/5 25%

  75-minute live event with interactive elements and multiple segments; pacing unclear from notes but format suggests reasonable engagement for duration

How we score News

Worth it if you're a 404 Media subscriber wanting to celebrate the outlet's work and hear directly from the team about their direction and challenges.

Content flags

• Sponsored DeleteMe sponsorship and promotional code featured prominently in show notes

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.