Ben Smith

Ben Smith is a prominent figure in the world of journalism, known chiefly for his roles as the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the news website Semafor and as the former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News. His tenure at BuzzFeed News from 2011 to 2020 was marked by a focus on bolstering investigative journalism, epitomized by the site's first presidential interview with Barack Obama in 2015 and the publication of the Steele dossier in 2017. Smith's journalistic prowess has been recognized on multiple occasions, including being named in Fast Company's "100 Most Creative" list in 2012 and as one of the most powerful people in media by The Hollywood Reporter in 2016.

Following his stint at BuzzFeed News, Smith served as a media columnist at The New York Times from 2020 to 2022, where he published notable pieces such as an examination of Ronan Farrow's journalism and an exposé of deceptive practices at the media company Ozy. Smith's commitment to insightful and investigative journalism was further acknowledged when he received The Jewish Daily Forward's Distinguished Journalism Award in 2017, alongside Andrea Mitchell. In addition to these roles, Smith has contributed to The Indianapolis Star and has made appearances on C-SPAN.

In early 2022, Smith, in collaboration with Justin Smith, launched Semafor, a global news platform. Here, he continues to write a Washington-focused column, reflecting his recognized expertise in American politics. Smith is also the author of "Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral", another testament to his vast knowledge of the media landscape. His writings, whether in his book or in his columns, are a reflection of his deep insights into the intersection of politics, media, and culture.