OLD Media News

Global news start-up Semafor ready for launch

Justin Smith and Ben Smith left their jobs at Bloomberg Media and The New York Times, respectively, to start a global news start-up, Semafor, which would “tackle the lack of trust in media and compete for English-language readers against outlets like CNN, The Times and The Washington Post.”

The coverage is expected to start this fall, with approximately 30 journalists, based in London, New York and Washington, D.C., and another international location.

The venture is supported by around $25 million from investors, including the crypto-billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried and his brother Gabe; Jessica Lessin, the founder of The Information; David G. Bradley, chairman emeritus of The Atlantic; and John Thornton, co-founder of the American Journalism Project and The Texas Tribune.

Initially, revenue will be generated from advertising and live events with plans to eventually charge for subscriptions.

Semafor will start with a website and email newsletters.

Read the full story here.

Mariam Ahmed

Recent Posts

CNBC taps Sullivan as “Power Lunch” co-anchor

CNBC senior vice president Dan Colarusso sent out the following on Monday: Before this year comes to…

3 hours ago

Business Insider hires Brooks as standards editor

Business Insider editor in chief Jamie Heller sent out the following on Monday: I'm excited to share…

3 hours ago

Is this the end of CoinDesk as we know it?

Former CoinDesk editorial staffer Michael McSweeney writes about the recent happenings at the cryptocurrency news site, where…

18 hours ago

LinkedIn finance editor Singh departs

Manas Pratap Singh, finance editor for LinkedIn News Europe, has left for a new opportunity…

2 days ago

Washington Post announces start of third newsroom

Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray sent out the following on Friday: Dear All, Over the last…

3 days ago

FT hires Moens to cover competition and tech in Brussels

The Financial Times has hired Barbara Moens to cover competition and tech in Brussels. She will start…

3 days ago