The news outlet promised to provide “thorough, objective, non-partisan, and timely news coverage” in a time of bias and misinformation when it launched in May.

The Messenger, a startup digital news website that launched in May, is shutting down following reports that it was running out of money, an executive at the outlet who has been briefed on the matter told NBC News on Wednesday.

The Messenger’s website was a blank white screen with only the words “The Messenger.” in black text with an email address Wednesday evening. No articles, current or past, appeared there.

The Messenger launched in May with Jimmy Finkelstein, who previously owned The Hollywood Reporter and The Hill, at the helm. It promised to provide “thorough, objective, non-partisan, and timely news coverage” in a time of bias and misinformation.

An email that was sent to staff members signed by Finkelstein, which was seen by NBC News, said it was a “painfully hard decision” to shut down “effective immediately.”

  • oxjox
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    I’ve been a big fan of the outlet for about six months. This is a complete shock and a(nother) huge loss for journalism.

    • taanegl@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      6 months ago

      Probably didn’t have enough clickbait.

      RIP

      “For The Messenger?”

      Naw, for journalism.