A social media spat between billionaire tech investors is raising questions about the journalistic independence of three-year-old news outlet SF Standard. The controversy erupted after a reporter from the outlet began working on a story about venture capitalist Ben Horowitz and his wife Felicia.
The San Francisco Standard's sole backer is another longtime venture capitalist, Michael Moritz. In a tirade on the X platform, Horowitz accused Moritz of having his "fake disinformation 'newspaper' fabricate hit pieces on his business rival, me." Horowitz's business partner, Marc Andreessen, later echoed the accusations and added more insults.
TechCrunch reached out to both Moritz and SF Standard Executive Editor Jon Steinberg for comment. Moritz has yet to respond, but Steinberg stated that reporter Emily Shugerman is working on a story about the Horowitzes, but declined to comment further.
The San Francisco Standard has previously covered news about Horowitz and Andreessen, as well as Moritz. Some of its coverage has focused on thousands of acres of rural land north of San Francisco being acquired by tech entrepreneurs and investors, including both Moritz and Andreessen. This coverage has led to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The controversy surrounding the San Francisco Standard could significantly impact its reputation and credibility. The accusations of bias and the potential conflicts of interest could erode public trust in the outlet's reporting.
The accusations of bias against the San Francisco Standard highlight the complex relationship between journalism and venture capital in San Francisco. Venture capitalists play a significant role in the city's tech ecosystem, and their influence can be felt in various aspects of the city, including media outlets.
Marc Andreessen, a prominent venture capitalist and Horowitz's business partner, joined the controversy by echoing the accusations against the San Francisco Standard. Andreessen's involvement further intensifies the feud and raises questions about the motivations behind the attacks.
The San Francisco Standard's situation underscores the importance of investigative journalism in holding powerful figures accountable. Independent reporting that is free from undue influence is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in the tech industry.
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