Jezebel, an incisive feminist voice since the height of the blogosphere era, is shutting down

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 Jezebel, a feminist media site, is suspending publication due to a decline in online advertising, as announced by G/O Media chief Jim Spanfeller in a memo to staff. The decision was described as "excruciating" and follows the struggles of other new media firms. Despite efforts to find a new home for Jezebel, talks with potential buyers were unsuccessful.



The suspension of Jezebel will result in the loss of 23 jobs, including those at the publication. G/O Media is also restructuring its editorial and business teams. Mr. Spanfeller expressed hope for an alternative solution for the publication, but the move indicates the challenges faced by the new media industry.

Jezebel's closure is part of a broader trend, with Vice Media still undergoing restructuring after emerging from bankruptcy, and BuzzFeed News shutting down earlier this year. Ben Smith, former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, credited Jezebel with shaping the powerful forces of politics and identity that defined social media over the past decade. The closure of Jezebel has deeply impacted the media landscape, according to the Writers Guild of America East.

Jezebel was acquired by G/O Media, owned by a private equity firm, in 2019. The decision to suspend publication has further exacerbated tensions between management and staff, with The Onion also affected by job cuts. The Writers Guild of America East highlighted the challenges of relying on advertising to fund news, especially concerning sensitive topics.

In summary, Jezebel's suspension reflects the difficulties faced by new media firms, and it has sparked discussions about the sustainability of the advertising-funded news model and its impact on journalistic content.  

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