[pearkes]

I think you're absolutely correct about the writers having potentially equitable quality, but I would challenge the following statement:

> The publication is less relevant as an institution and a brand

Journalism, and journalists, need to be trusted to deliver researched and verifiable content. This seems to be enforced because of reputation – i.e, the reputation of a publication.

When an organization does what BuzzFeed does to earn eyeballs, dollars and readership, it makes you question what they would do in more serious, "important" topics, such as describing world events to future voters.

I have trouble trusting BuzzFeed as an organization, as with Vice, due to this "trashiness". I think we all should.