HuffPost India and Brazil Editions Close After BuzzFeed Takeover
In a significant shift for digital media, HuffPost India and HuffPost Brasil ceased operations effective immediately following BuzzFeed’s acquisition of the global news platform. The closures mark the end of an era for two of HuffPost’s most prominent international editions.
The Announcement
Aman Sethi, Editor-in-Chief of HuffPost India, tweeted emotionally about the shutdown:
“Today is @huffpostIndia’s last day. Pound for pound, story for story, reporter for reporter, this is the greatest newsroom I have worked for… Thank you everyone for reading our stories and supporting our journalism.”
Verizon Media, HuffPost’s former owner, confirmed the closures in an official statement:
“We confirm that HuffPost has closed its editions in India and Brazil with immediate effect. We would like to thank the HuffPost India and HuffPost Brazil teams for their hard work and contribution.”
Behind the Decision
The shutdowns come just days after BuzzFeed’s acquisition of HuffPost from Verizon Media. BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti cited legal hurdles as the primary reason for discontinuing these international operations:
- India: Foreign companies cannot legally own news organizations
- Brazil: BuzzFeed’s prior sale of BuzzFeed Brasil included contractual restrictions
Journalist Maxwell Tani shared internal communications where Peretti explained these regulatory challenges.
What This Means for Digital Media
The closures highlight:
- The complexities of international media operations amid changing ownership
- Regulatory challenges facing global digital news platforms
- The human impact on journalists and teams behind these editions
While HuffPost’s core operations continue under BuzzFeed, these shutdowns represent a significant contraction of its global footprint. The media landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with acquisitions often leading to difficult decisions about international operations.
