BuzzFeed 'kills' news section

The digital news publisher is laying off 15% of its staff, or about 180 people, at its BuzzFeed News division and several other divisions, effectively bringing an end to its pioneering era in online journalism.

Photo: Reuters

Going forward, BuzzFeed will focus its efforts on its only profitable news outlet, HuffPost, which was acquired from Verizon in 2020, according to Peretti’s announcement of the layoffs and news service’s closure. However, the company’s BuzzFeed.com domain will remain.

“While layoffs are occurring across nearly every division, we have determined that the company cannot continue to fund BuzzFeed News as an independent organization,” Peretti wrote.

BuzzFeed News first launched in 2011 under Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith and has become a phenomenon in the digital media age.

But, “I’m so invested in BuzzFeed News because I love its work and its mission so much. And I have a hard time accepting that the big platforms don’t provide the distribution and financial support that journalism needs to exist in its current free form, even though journalism is largely served by technology and social media platforms,” he explained.

HuffPost is “a profitable brand with a loyal, highly engaged audience that is less dependent on social platforms” than BuzzFeed News, Peretti said.

“We’re going to bring more innovation to our customers in the form of creators, AI, and cultural moments that can only happen on BuzzFeed, Complex, HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast,” he asserted.

According to a BuzzFeed spokesperson, no jobs will be replaced by AI. The company has recently started using AI to help create some content, including quizzes, and Mr. Peretti said the technology will become “a core part of the company’s business.”

Along with the closure of BuzzFeed News, chief revenue officer Edgar Hernandez and COO Christian Baesler will also be leaving the company.

According to a BuzzFeed representative, there are ongoing discussions about the future of BuzzFeedNews.com, but all of BuzzFeed News’ legacy work will remain intact and available across the BuzzFeed network. The company is also working to ensure any stories still being produced by the BuzzFeed News team will also be published and promoted across BuzzFeed’s other platforms.

BuzzFeed is facing charges ranging from $7 million to $11 million related to the layoffs, according to SEC filings.

Hoang Ton (according to Variety)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/buzzfeed-bat-ngo-khai-tu-mang-tin-tuc-post244588.html