Independent journalism is a pet interest of mine, for obvious reasons. Like Andrew Sullivan, the prospect of publishing whatever you like whenever you want was what first drew me to blogging in the first place. But as most independent bloggers find, realities set in and costs quickly mount.
One solution is to throw in with a major publication, which Sullivan did for a number of years. It worked well and the site grew, but now he and his staff are casting off on their own, citing a desire for independence. Their model? Reader support through subscriptions. I wish them the best of luck.