Independent journalism that cuts out the BS. Co-founded by Antoun Issa and Alex McKinnon.
Journalism without fear or favour
Like a deep cut exposes what's underneath the skin, Deepcut exposes the hidden truths behind the smokescreen of establishment media and politics. Our journalism cuts through layers of deception to show what's really going on.
We are living extraordinary times as democracy faces the threat of rising fascism. Western governments are criminalising free speech, banning protests and facilitating a genocide. Those who dare raise their voice are losing their jobs, jailed or deported. And in this pivotal moment where democracy is in need of defenders, establishment media outlets have instead proven to be fronts for the wealthy and powerful.
There is a desperate need for independent journalism that actually holds the powerful to account.
Why support Deepcut?
Democracy cannot survive without independent, fearless journalism. And we can only survive if readers, like you, support our work.
Only by standing together can we face the challenges of today. Our journalism is for the people, powered by the people. No billionaires. No governments.
Who we are
Antoun Issa is a former Guardian journalist who resigned in 2024 due to objections over the outlet’s coverage of the Gaza genocide. Prior to the Guardian, Antoun worked for three years as a journalist in Beirut, with a particular focus on Syria and Gaza. The highlight of his career was, as news editor for Al-Monitor, establishing a team of Palestinian journalists in Gaza who fearlessly covered all aspects of life, politics and war in the besieged enclave. After his time in Beirut, Antoun relocated to Washington, DC, where he worked for a US think tank, the Middle East Institute, before joining The Atlantic as an editorial strategist. In 2020, Antoun returned to Australia and joined Guardian Australia. He is currently writing a narrative book situated in the Lebanese civil war.
Alex McKinnon is a Sydney-based journalist who has been published in Al Jazeera, the New York Times, the Observer, the Guardian, Gawker, The Outline, Crikey and Overland. Since January 2024 he has been reporting extensively on the relentless campaign of censorship, punishment and silence being waged against people in Australia who oppose Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip. In 2024 he was honoured to be named by Crikey readers as one of their Shitstirrers of the Year.
What we cover
State of democracy in Australia - with a focus on civil liberties, policing, racialised and vulnerable communities, and harmful activities targeting basic democratic freedoms
Rise of US ‘liberal fascism’ - with a critical eye on US activities against democracy at home and its foreign policy
West Asia and international affairs, properly - insightful takes on all that is happening in West Asia and other pressing geopolitical matters, with no both sideism, no sugarcoating and no lobby groups telling us what we can and can’t say
Do we want to cover more? Absolutely! But for that to happen, we need your support.
