Ben Smith was an influential American journalist known for his role as the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, a news website launched in early 2022. Prior to this venture, he gained recognition for his work at BuzzFeed News, where he served as editor-in-chief and played a pivotal role in shaping the outlet's investigative journalism and political coverage. His tenure at BuzzFeed was marked by a commitment to innovative storytelling and a focus on the evolving landscape of digital media, which helped to redefine how news was reported and consumed in the internet age. Smith's contributions to journalism extended beyond his editorial roles; he was also a prominent voice in discussions about media ethics and the future of news. His work often addressed the challenges faced by traditional media in the digital era, advocating for transparency and accountability in reporting. Through his leadership at Semafor, he aimed to create a platform that prioritized clarity and context in news coverage, reflecting his belief in the importance of informed public discourse. Smith's legacy lies in his ability to navigate the complexities of modern journalism while fostering a new generation of reporters and editors committed to high-quality journalism.
“Nick Denton’s core insight: in the newspaper era, the best stories were sometimes the ones reporters told one another in bars, rather than the ones they printed.”
“Donald Trump was made for Facebook. So was another type of content: attacks on Hillary Clinton.”
“Trump wasn’t doing anything to game Facebook. He simply was what Facebook liked.”
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