Ben Smith
Born 1976 · Age 49
American political journalist and media executive; former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, former media columnist for The New York Times, and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Semafor.
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Life & Career Timeline
Attended Trinity School (Upper West Side)
Attended and completed secondary education at Trinity School in New York City (attended prior to Yale).
Entered Yale University (undergraduate)
Matriculated at Yale University; was resident of Morse College while at Yale.
Internship at The Forward (junior year)
First strong interest in journalism developed during junior year at Yale through an internship at The Forward.
Wrote for The Yale Herald and The New Journal
Contributed articles to student publications while at Yale.
Graduated Yale University, B.A. summa cum laude
Graduated from Yale with highest honors (summa cum laude).
First professional reporting job: The Indianapolis Star
Took his first professional reporting position covering the crime beat for The Indianapolis Star.
Moved to Latvia; joined The Baltic Times and reported for The Wall Street Journal Europe
Took an overseas reporting position in Latvia at The Baltic Times and contributed to The Wall Street Journal Europe (assignment continued until 2001).
Ended WSJ Europe contribution (approx.)
Contributions to The Wall Street Journal Europe continued until around 2001.
Wrote for The New York Sun
Worked at The New York Sun (period cited as 2002–2003).
Married Liena Zagare
Married Latvian publisher Liena Zagare (wedding reported October 6, 2002).
Joined The New York Observer
Worked at The New York Observer (period cited as 2003–2006).
Founded three NYC political blogs
Started The Politicker, The Daily Politics, and Room Eight between 2004 and 2006 (New York City political blogs).
Joined New York Daily News
Worked at the New York Daily News (tenure reported 2006–2007).
Joined Politico
Left New York Sun/Daily News area to join Politico (joined in 2007 as Politico expanded).
Erroneous report on John Edwards campaign suspension; retraction
Reported that John Edwards would drop out of the presidential race; the report was erroneous and Smith posted an apology and retraction.
Covered 2008 Democratic presidential primary for Politico
Reported on the 2008 Democratic primary, including controversies around Barack Obama and Bill Ayers and early 'birther' threads.
Published piece on 'birther' culture
Wrote about the 'birther' conspiracy culture (cited March 1, 2009).
Exclusive: RNC confidential fundraising presentation story
Reported on a confidential Republican National Committee document advising the party to capitalize on fear (exclusive story in 2010).
Named Editor-in-Chief of BuzzFeed News
Left Politico and became editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News (announcement dated December 12, 2011).
Fast Company: '100 Most Creative' list
Named to Fast Company's '100 Most Creative' list (2012).
Built out BuzzFeed News investigative unit
As editor, focused on strengthening BuzzFeed News' investigative journalism unit and hiring investigative reporters/leaders.
Resided in Brooklyn with family
By 2014, Smith and his wife were living in Brooklyn and had three children.
Interviewed President Barack Obama for BuzzFeed
Conducted BuzzFeed News' first presidential interview with Barack Obama in early 2015.
Listed among most powerful people in media (Hollywood Reporter)
Named by The Hollywood Reporter (with Jonah Peretti) as among the most powerful people in media (2016).
Published the Steele dossier (BuzzFeed under his editorship)
In January 2017 BuzzFeed News published the unverified Steele dossier about Donald Trump; Smith defended the publication policy. (Date: Jan 2017).
Distinguished Journalism Award from The Forward
Received The Jewish Daily Forward's Distinguished Journalism Award (2017, shared recognition mentioned).
Named media columnist at The New York Times
Announced as the New York Times' media columnist, replacing Jim Rutenberg (January 28, 2020).
"Is Ronan Farrow Too Good to Be True?" article
Published a critical column on Ronan Farrow's journalism in The New York Times (May 17, 2020), which prompted debate and responses.
Controversy over undisclosed BuzzFeed options and conflict-of-interest reporting
Media outlets (Slate, FAIR, Nieman Lab, Vice and others) reported Smith had undisclosed BuzzFeed stock/options that could represent a conflict when he covered media companies (reports surfaced in late 2021 and 2022).
Reported Ozy Media allegations
Published reporting in late September 2021 that Ozy Media had attempted to deceive investors/advertisers; reporting precipitated further investigations.
Ozy board announced intention to shut down
Following reporting including Smith's, Ozy's board announced intention to shut the company down on October 1, 2021.
NYT column on labor and unions
Wrote a New York Times column about labor and the NewsGuild (Nov 8, 2021); later scrutiny questioned lack of disclosure regarding past actions with unions and financial ties.
Semafor launch planning and public positioning
Public descriptions positioned Semafor as reimagining quality global journalism and addressing trust issues among professionals.
Co-founded Semafor; assumed top editorial role
Became co-founder and top editor of Semafor, a richly funded global news start-up aimed at English-speaking, college-educated readers.
Announced departure from The New York Times to start new media venture
Announced he would leave the NYT to start a global news venture targeted to college-educated English readers; Justin B. Smith to lead business side.
Name of new venture announced: Semafor
The name of the new global news startup co-founded by Ben Smith and Justin B. Smith was announced as Semafor (March 22, 2022).
Book: 'Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral' (listed under works)
Listed as author of the book 'Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral' (publisher: Penguin Press). Exact publication year not specified in source text.
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