Semafor (website)

The New York Times has called Semafor a "global news organization".[3] Vox has described Semafor as "a collection of newsletters, plus a website, aimed at an upscale audience that understands topics like Washington politics and Silicon Valley tech but wants more".[4] The website is free to access and supported by advertisements, though Semafor's co-founders have described plans to convert to a paid subscription model.[4] The organization is based in New York City.[5]

The name "Semafor" is derived from the word "semaphore", which "appears in similar form in many languages". According to The New York Times, "semaphore" is "often used in a nautical context" and can be described as "a visual signaling apparatus often involving flags, lights and arm gestures".[6] The co-founders appreciated that the word "sounds about the same in thirty-five languages".[5]

Semafor was launched by journalist Ben Smith, who was previously a media columnist for The New York Times,[6] and Justin B. Smith (no relation), the chief executive officer of Bloomberg Media Group, in October 2022.[3][4] The duo had met in Manhattan in 2008 and kept in touch; at a conference in Davos in 2018, they began a series of discussions which led to the development of Semafor over four years.[5] Ahead of the launch, both men resigned from their previous positions in January 2022.[7][8] A federal trademark registration for Semafor was filed on January 16, and the Smiths announced the organization's name in March 2022.[6] In a memo that Justin Smith sent to "close confidants", he described a new company that would "reimagine quality global journalism" aimed at what he said was an "English-speaking, college-educated, professional class" that had "lost trust in all sources of news and information".[9] Semafor launched on October 18, 2022, with Gina Chua as executive editor.[1][2]

Leading up to the launch, Semafor advertised heavily on Twitter. Semafor and Twitter also have a video distribution partnership.[10] Semafor partnered with Gallup for data, and uses office space in the analytics company's headquarters in Washington, D.C.[3] In addition to offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., Semafor has a presence in London and Africa. There are plans to expand to Asia, other parts of Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.[11] Semafor has an equity program which shares profits with employees.[1]

Staff

Gina Chua, Semafor's executive editor, in 2022

Co-founders Justin B. Smith and Ben Smith are the chief executive officer and editor-in-chief, respectively.[18] Gina Chua was announced as the executive editor in March 2022.[19] Rachel Oppenheim is the chief revenue officer and Kellen Henry is the head of product.[3]

Semafor launched with approximately 60 employees, at least half of which were reporters.[5][20] Initial hires included Reed Albergotti of The Washington Post, Liz Hoffman of The Wall Street Journal,[3][21] and Max Tani of Politico, who would focus on technology, business and finance, and media, respectively.[22] In his role as editor-at-large,[10] Steven Clemons, also formerly of The Wall Street Journal, oversees live journalism operations, moderates on-stage interviews, and writes a newsletter about American politics and policy.[3] David Weigel writes a newsletter called "Americana".[10]

Benjy Sarlin is chief of the Washington, D.C., bureau.[10] Nigerian editor Yinka Adegoke leads Semafor Africa, the organization's first international edition.[5] Alexis Akwagyiram joined as managing editor from the Financial Times.[1]

Semafor has received criticism for its relationship with persons or entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[23] In January 2023, Voice of America reported that Semafor received sponsorship funding from Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group. The Chinese government has stakes in two of the Group's subsidiaries.[13]

In February 2023, Semafor partnered with the Center for China and Globalization, a front group of the United Front Work Department, a CCP propaganda and influence organization.[23][24] As part of this partnership, the publication established an advisory board which includes Zeng Yuqun, the billionaire chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co, a company with "deep CCP ties" according to George Washington University economist Diana Furchtgott-Roth.[25] Zeng is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the party's most important united front organization.[25] The group also includes Wang Huiyao, architect of the Thousand Talents program which has been accused by the governments of the United States, Australia, and Canada of facilitating widespread intellectual property theft and espionage on behalf of China.[26][25]

In 2015, Semafor co-founder and CEO Justin B. Smith, then CEO of Bloomberg Media Group, ordered a Bloomberg journalist to end his investigation into the wealth of senior CCP officials because of the company's business interests in China. According to NPR, the journalist was later fired, and his wife was threatened and pressured to sign a nondisclosure agreement by company lawyers.[27][25]

• Official website