what is semafor

Semafor is a news website founded in 2022 by Ben Smith, a former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News and media columnist at The New York Times, and Justin B. Smith, the former CEO of Bloomberg Media Group). The name "Semafor" is derived from the word "semaphore", which "appears in similar form in many languages". According to The New York Times, "semaphore" is "often used in a nautical context" and can be described as "a visual signaling apparatus often involving flags, lights and arm gestures"). Semafor is a global news platform that provides transparent, global reporting by Semafor journalists on politics, policy, business, finance, technology, climate, energy, media, entertainment, and more. It aims to bring transparency and clarity to a news business that its co-founders believe has become too polarized. Semafor has received criticism for its relationship with persons or entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ). Semafor has raised $25 million and has shared its five-year business plan with investors.