Facebook co-founder buys New Republic
Chris Hughes, Facebook’s co-founder, has become both publisher and editor in chief of the New Republic after buying out the title.
Hughes intends to combine old media reporting standards with today’s technology to provide “rigorous reporting and analysis” to the market.
In an open letter to readers published on TNR website Hughes wrote: “It seems that today too many media institutions chase superficial metrics of online virality at the expense of investing in rigorous reporting and analysis of the most important stories of our time.
“When few people are investing in media institutions with such bold aims as “enlightenment to the problems of the nation,” I believe we must.”
Many are interpreting this as a clarion call to action for the staff to embrace new mediums such as tablets and smartphones without compromising on journalistic integrity and Hughes is well placed to see that happen.