Rest of World looks to differentiate itself in a crowded tech news field

Stephen Perlberg of Insider writes about Rest of World, the tech news site funded by Sophie Schmidt, the daughter of the former Google CEO.

Perlberg writes, “Thrust into the uncertain early days of the pandemic — when global travel ground to a halt — Rest of World has had early growing pains, according to conversations with nine former staffers and people involved in the project and internal emails obtained by Insider. Some early staffers have departed the non-profit as tensions boiled over around editorial processes and vision, the sources said.

“For some involved in Rest of World, the question remains: How can the publication differentiate itself in a crowded technology media landscape?

“‘I think Sophie wanted to create something that would be listened to by the people who are in charge now in Silicon Valley,’ said one person previously involved in the outlet. ‘It would amplify a new set of concerns and voices, but ultimately it would be reasonably sympathetic to their day-to-day.’

“Schmidt disputed that characterization in an email to Insider. ‘The best representation of my hopes for Rest of World is our site and the body of work the team produces daily,’ she said.”

Read more here.