BuzzFeed bows to NYT lawyers over ‘all the news too lit for print’ tagline
BuzzFeed has bowed down to lawyers representing the New York Times after questions were raised over the digital media platforms choice of tagline for its AM to DM Twitter live show.
BuzzFeed bows to NYT lawyers over ‘all the news too lit for print’ tagline
For that initiative BuzzFeed chose to use ‘All the news that’s too lit for print’ – uncannily similar to the NYT’s own choice of words, ‘All the news that’s fit to print’, which are emblazoned prominently on its masthead.
The NYT phrase originated way back in 1896 after being conceived by a former proprietor, Adolph S. Ochs. BuzzFeed’s slogan is of rather more recent vintage, having been coined last month to promote the launch of its Twitter stream.
Confirming the offending phrase would no longer be used BuzzFeed spokesman Matt Mittenthal said: “We can confirm that The Times did reach out about AM to DM’s slogan. We’re glad they are following along with our new show, like the rest of our robust audience over the last few weeks.”
As of today BuzzFeed’s AM to DM show therefore finds itself without a strapline.
BuzzFeed was recently ranked as the second least trusted media outlet by Americans - behind only the partisan Occupy Democrats.