Semafor climate editor Bill Spindle announced he has left the startup digital news publication over what he called an “over-dependence” on a Chevron sponsorship.
My final story after a short but productive run as Climate Editor @Semafor — one marred, sadly, by an over-dependence on Chevron sponsorship. But that’s for a future post. For now…1/2 https://t.co/SLnXHJbxjt
— Bill Spindle (@BillSpindle) December 2, 2022
In a thread of tweets over the weekend, Spindle said that though Chevron’s sponsorship had no influence over climate coverage, he was nevertheless highly concerned that Chevron’s “dominant” advertising on the same pages as climate stories “raises the specter of improper influence, perceived and real.”
Before joining Semafor, Spindle previously worked as an editor and bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal.