Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti released an open letter on Tuesday criticizing the harmful effects of social media content controlled by algorithms and AI. In the letter, Peretti announced that, to help rectify the problem, Buzzfeed would be releasing it’s own human-curated platform in the future.
“Before I go, I want to tell you about something big we are starting to build. We are creating a new social media platform built specifically to spread joy and enable playful creative expression,” he wrote. “This social media platform will use AI to give users agency instead of stealing their agency. I’m fed up with giving the platform companies advice about how to fix the internet, if we want this done right, we have to do it ourselves!”
Peretti didn’t divulge much more information about the platform, except to say that he was excited “after years of being beholden to other platforms, to take the big step of making our own.”
This announcement comes after Buzzfeed has been shedding assets to become more streamlined. In February 2024, the company sold its Complex division to the livestream shopping platform NTWRK in a $109 million deal. In December, Buzzfeed unloaded Hot Ones outfit First We Feast, which sold off to a group of investors that included Crooked Media and the Sorors Fund Management, all led by founder Chris Schonberger and host Sean Evans.
Breakfast Television shakeup
City TV’s flagship morning show, Breakfast Television, announced Monday it has let its hosts go. Sid Seixeiro, who had been with the show since 2021 after co-hosting sports show Tim and Sid, and Meredith Shaw, who replaced co-host Dina Pugliese in 2023, both confirmed on social media that their time with the program had come to an end.
“Thanks for letting me into your homes and for being so kind. Also, thank you to @Rogers for over 13 years of support. They allowed me incredible freedom on-air and I’m grateful,” Seixeiro wrote.
“Deep breath. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes & hearts. Thank you Sid, for being a tremendous teammate and friend. You’re the best of the best and I love you,” Shaw wrote, before thanking BT and its viewers, adding, “my gratitude for you has never been deeper as a new chapter begins for your favourite show.”
In response to the news, Rogers released a statement thanking the two hosts and reiterating its commitment to the show. “We’re invested in Breakfast Television‘s success and leadership in Canadian morning television, and we’ll announce exciting new plans in the coming weeks. As part of this evolution, we have parted ways with Sid Seixeiro and Meredith Shaw. We thank them for sharing their passion and energy with audiences every morning and wish them both the very best.”
Bell offers buyouts to 1,200 employees
Bell Canada is continuing its efforts to reduce costs by making cuts to it workforce. In response to what a spokesperson calls “unprecedented challenges” in the telecom industry, Bell is offering an “enhanced voluntary separation program” to 1,200 eligible employees.
Bell Media does not seem to be included in the buyouts.
In a statement released Monday, Unifor president Lana Payne condemned the move. “Workforce reduction plans are a damaging stunt to temporarily reduce costs, making profits appear higher on the backs of workers. Bell cannot keep cutting jobs every year and expect the ship to turn itself around.”
“Job reductions bleed talent and increase stress and anxiety among Bell workers,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec director. “The company loses by letting go of experienced workers, and the customer loses by relying on a smaller and smaller team of Bell employees to build and deliver services.”
In its statement, Unifor put these buyouts in context with the other cuts that Bell has made recently, stating, “This move follows decades of hollowing out Bell’s workforce, including an October 2024 announcement to cut 120 jobs at Expertech, a June 2024 50-person job cut at Bell Media, a February 2024 4,800 person job-cut, a 1,300-person cut in June 2023, and many more.”
