This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
July 31, 2019
Bustle Digital Group, the owner of Gawker.com, has put the planned reboot of the irreverent news site on ice indefinitely, laying off its staff, including editor Dan Peres and top editor Carson Griffith.
The decision comes after a tumultuous period for the site, which was purchased by Bustle Digital Group in 2018 for $1.35 million. The site's previous owner, Gawker Media, went bankrupt in 2016 following a $140 million judgment in a lawsuit brought by Hulk Hogan, the former professional wrestler.
Founded in 2002 by Nick Denton, Gawker was known for its no-holds-barred tone and willingness to reveal personal details about its subjects. However, the site's detractors, including billionaire Peter Thiel, who was angered by a 2007 post that reported he was gay, said it went too far.
Despite efforts to revive the site, including the appointment of Dan Peres as editor in March and Carson Griffith as top editor in January, the site has struggled to regain momentum. The two full-time writers quit in January after objecting to inappropriate comments made by Griffith on black writers and the gender identity of a potential hire.
Now, with the relaunch plans scrapped, the site's future remains uncertain.
