Venture capitalist Michael Moritz is deepening his investment in journalism with a strategic expansion of The San Francisco Standard, the digital news outlet he co-founded in 2021. In an interview with the New York Times, Moritz described news and information in any city as “as vital as water, electricity and gas,” underscoring his view that local media should be treated as essential infrastructure.
The Standard, which already attracts more than a million readers a month with a mix of investigative reporting and cultural coverage, has acquired Charter, a digital publication focused on the future of work. The move brings a broader, more global dimension to the newsroom, with Charter co-founder Kevin Delaney set to become editor-in-chief of both outlets.
Moritz, who made early bets on Google and PayPal, has lived in San Francisco for more than 40 years and has become increasingly vocal about the decline of local journalism. He told the New York Times that the erosion of trusted news had weakened civic life and public understanding. His investment in the Standard is a direct response to that, aiming to build a modern, well-funded local newsroom.
He has long been interested in journalism and has provided informal advice to publishers around the world, who admire his clear-sighted view of their plight.
The acquisition of Charter adds coverage of work, management and technology to the Standard’s existing city-focused brief — topics with particular relevance in the Bay Area, where debates about AI and economic transformation are especially acute. Delaney said the two outlets would collaborate on stories that connect San Francisco to wider global themes, especially given California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy.
No financial terms were disclosed, but the deal is part of a broader push by Moritz to influence civic and political life in the city. He has also supported campaigns for governance reform and other public-interest initiatives.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date of the acquisition announcement being June 30, 2025. The report is based on a press release from Charter, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The report includes updated data and is not recycling older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Michael Moritz and Kevin Delaney are original and have not appeared in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in previous publications. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The San Francisco Standard, a reputable online news organisation co-founded by Michael Moritz. The publication has been operational since 2021 and is financed by Moritz, lending credibility to its reports. ([sfstandard.com](https://sfstandard.com/about/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known information. The acquisition of Charter by The San Francisco Standard aligns with Moritz’s known investments in local journalism. The narrative lacks excessive or off-topic detail and maintains a consistent tone appropriate for the subject matter.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with original quotes and a reliable source. The claims are plausible and consistent with known information, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.
