United States: End of an Era - Feminist News Pioneer Jezebel Closes Doors
Jezebel's closure, a result of the ongoing media industry challenges, raises concerns about the future of specialized journalistic voices and platforms
Location: United States
Date: November 9, 2023
*Updated on November 29, 2023
Jezebel, the trailblazing feminist website, is poised for a dramatic revival under the auspices of Paste Magazine. This resurrection comes shortly after its shutdown by G/O Media, marking a new chapter in digital journalism. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom wholeheartedly welcomes the revival of Jezebel under the aegis of Paste Magazine. This development is not only a victory for feminist media but also a significant moment for press freedom and the representation of diverse voices in the media landscape.
G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller announced Jezebel's closure on November 9, citing economic challenges and misalignment with the company's broader portfolio, which includes Gizmodo and The Root. Paste Magazine, a stalwart in music and culture journalism, has now announced that it has bought the magazine. Paste's co-founder and editor-in-chief, Josh Jackson, expressed a keen sense of urgency in reviving the website, emphasizing the current cultural void without Jezebel's unique voice.
Jezebel has been an indispensable platform that championed women's issues, combining incisive commentary with fearless reporting. Its closure by G/O Media was a blow to the diversity of voices in the media, particularly at a time when feminist perspectives are critically needed.
"It's unconscionable that the company is shutting down its only politics site," Senior reporter Susan Rinkunas told The Guardian. “Readers everywhere will be worse off without Jezebel.”
“It’s unconscionable that the company is shutting down its only politics site. Readers everywhere will be worse off without Jezebel”
"It's unconscionable that the company is shutting down its only politics site," Rinkunas told The Guardian. “Readers everywhere will be worse off without Jezebel.”
Laura Bassett, Jezebel’s former editor-in-chief, emphasized the irony of external forces leading to the demise of a site whose coverage, especially on abortion rights, remains vital in the current socio-political landscape.
“I mourn the loss of the outlet that inspired me to become a journalist in the first place and that I proudly led for two years,” she says. “The work Jezebel writers have always done and continue to do, and the unflinching voice they bring to feminist media, are vital and irreplaceable.”
“I mourn the loss of the outlet that inspired me to become a journalist in the first place and that I proudly led for two years”
The closure of Jezebel arrives amidst a challenging period for journalism in the United States, with various media outlets facing layoffs and cutbacks. Earlier this year, BuzzFeed dismantled its Pulitzer Prize-winning news section, affecting over 100 journalists worldwide. Vice Media faced similar challenges, undergoing layoffs, show cancellations, and significant restructuring following financial struggles and a bankruptcy sale.
The layoffs and closures are symptomatic of the economic challenges within the media industry. Factors like reduced advertising spending, declining stock markets, and a changing digital advertising landscape have contributed to the struggle. Companies are grappling with the need for profitability, and some are forced to make tough decisions that impact their news divisions.
As media organizations face financial challenges, the closure of Jezebel highlights the vulnerability of journalistic independence. Press freedom becomes jeopardized when economic factors unduly influence the survival of platforms striving to provide critical and independent news coverage.
In response to Jezebel’s closure, the Writers Guild of America-East lauded the outlet’s profound impact on fearless journalism and cultural commentary since its inception in 2007.
A New Era for Jezebel
Paste Magezine’s Jackson's vision for Jezebel is ambitious. He plans to blend the best elements from the site's various eras, maintaining its edgy and provocative ethos. This strategy aligns with his broader ambition of leveraging Paste's experience in navigating the changing media landscape to rejuvenate other platforms. Jackson's immediate priority is to appoint an editor-in-chief and build a roster of writers.
Jackson's acquisition includes Splinter, the political news site previously shuttered by G/O Media in 2019. While details of the financial transaction remain undisclosed, it's clear that the deal represents a significant investment in digital journalism.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcome the decision by Paste Magazine to revive Jezebel. It signals a promising direction for the future of feminist journalism. It is an acknowledgment of the essential role that platforms like Jezebel play in not just informing but also shaping discourse on gender equality and social justice, and reflects the value of diverse editorial voices and the necessity of supporting platforms that amplify them. We recognize the challenges that lie ahead for Jezebel under new management. We are hopeful that Paste Magazine will uphold Jezebel's tradition of bold and unapologetic journalism, ensuring that it continues to be a space for critical feminist perspectives.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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