Splinter is shutting down, according to an internal memo sent to staff members on Tuesday.
The editorial director of Splinter’s parent company G/O Media, Paul Maidment, praised the staff for “the hard work of everyone on that staff” but added that “establishing a steady and sustainable audience for a relatively young site proved challenging,” according to the Daily Beast.
“Given that reality, the leadership team made the difficult decision to cease operation of Splinter and redistribute the headcount to the other sites to increase the impact the editorial department can have overall,” he added.
It went on to claim that the staff would be be moved to other sites owned by G/O Media including Deadspin, Jezebel, and Gizmodo among others. However, deputy editor Jack Mirkinson tweeted, “It’s true! Splinter is shutting down and we’re all being laid off. This is by far the best job I’ve ever had and I will be forever proud of everything we’ve done together.”
It’s true! Splinter is shutting down and we’re all being laid off. This is by far the best job I’ve ever had and I will be forever proud of everything we’ve done together.
— Jack Mirkinson (@jackmirkinson) October 10, 2019
In an article published on Splinter the day of its rebranding back in 2017, Dodai Stewart wrote, “Splinter offers a sharp point of view, delivering news coverage for a new America: justice-minded, inclusive, and incisive. We believe in telling the truth about outdated institutions and calling out injustices when we see them.”
It added that their “mission involves amplifying underrepresented voices, shining a light on systemic inequality, and skewering politicians when necessary. Splinter contextualizes current events, challenges archaic establishments, and champions the historically oppressed.”
[Also read: Trust in media plummets further: 50% don’t]
