News that talks back.
Cheek Media Co provides independent, progressive news commentary on topics that sit at the intersection of political, social and feminist issues.
We first launched on Instagram in 2020, and continue to post analysis and commentary there daily. But since 2024, Substack has become the home of our longer form content, and a place where we can platform voices and perspectives that are overlooked by the mainstream. It is also plays a huge role in how we fund the work that we do, thanks to our growing community of paying subscribers (we love you!)
What can you expect?
Every week, we publish at least two contributor pieces that are written by writers with expertise or lived experience on the big issues of the day. These pieces will always be free to read, to ensure that they can have the impact and reach that they deserve. Most of these pieces are paid commissions from writers with an important perspective to share, but we also regularly publish perspectives shared by not-for-profits who are campaigning on social issues that are values-aligned.
For our paid subscribers, we publish a weekly Friday newsletter called ‘The Week with Cheek’, which gives a run-down of the week that was, including our weekly recommendations, exclusive analysis, and our debate of the week (which you can participate in in our subscriber chat). Paid supporters also get exclusive access to the Substack version of our explainers (with more context and links that can’t fit on Instagram), plus exclusive access to op-eds written by our founder Hannah Ferguson and editor Kalila Welch.
Help us grow
We are always working hard to bring you even more content, and it’s our paid subscribers who help us to do just that. In 2025, we hired an editor, our first full-time employee besides Hannah, all thanks to your support. In 2026, our goal is to grow even more by bringing on more team members who can help us to level up our offering with even more in-depth reporting and analysis. To our existing paid subscribers, we love you and are forever grateful! We know that a paid subscription isn’t possible for everyone (and we thank you for all your non-financial forms of support!) but if you have been thinking of hitting the upgrade button, you can do that it here - it will only set you back $7 a month.
Want to write for Cheek?
At Cheek, we want to platform a wide range of ideas, issues, and perspectives from writers and experts of all identities and experiences. Our contributor pieces could look like an essay, an opinion piece, or some cutting analysis that digs into politics, society, or culture. You do not need to be a freelance or professionally experienced writer, but you do need to have strong writing skills and a clear perspective.
We are always looking for topic matter experts or academics to bring authoritative insights to topics like health, law, and public policy. For example, we want eating disorder specialists who can offer a medically sound perspective and climate scientists who can debunk conservative rhetoric.
Equally, we want to give a voice to those with lived experience, who can bring a human face and intersectional lens to the issues of the day. Here, we are actively seeking those who can speak to their experiences being First Nations, migrants, refugees, people of colour, transgender, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those who are disabled or neurodiverse; as well as those who are survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, live with a chronic health issue, or have experienced incarceration. Just to name a few!
If that sounds like you, and you have a fresh and pointed idea for an article, we would love you to send through your pitch to hello@cheekmedia.co. Please include a working headline, a short outline (up to 100 words), and a brief personal bio (we want to know why you are the right person to write this!)
Acknowledgement of Country
Cheek Media Co acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.
