NATIONAL: Web Summit cuts ties with investigative journalism website The Ditch 

WEB SUMMIT has announced it has pulled funding from The Ditch website. 

In a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Web Summit said they will conclude their funding relationship with online investigative journalism platform, The Ditch.

This comes after The Ditch called Israel a racist and supremacist state, in a statement that has since been deleted. 

In their statement, Web Summit said: “Web Summit’s mission is connecting people and ideas that change the world. As Web Summit moves to focus on our core mission, the board has determined we will conclude our funding relationship with the Ditch.”

They added: “The Ditch is a separate investigative organisation with an independent editorial line. Web Summit respects independent media and editorial control. 

“As we move forward, we will continue to focus our affiliations and investments to reflect our core mission. Our events will remain a platform for open discussion and rigorous debate. Last month Adam Connon, Web Summit GC, transferred his shareholding in Ditch Media Ltd…”

On October 7, The Ditch posted a picture of the Palestinian flag. A couple of days later, they posted an opinion piece stating that Israel is “a racist, supremacist, apartheid state with a fascist government engaged in crimes against humanity.”

In a statement, The Ditch said: “Considering the sensitive times we live in, as well as the criticism, we’ve received on our decisions to publish both the Palestinian flag and this opinion piece, The Ditch has, upon reflection, decided it would like to apologise to: Nobody.

“In lieu of an apology, however, The Ditch is happy to issue a clarification. In times of war and misinformation, media organisations, in a rush to be first, can be too quick in a rush to judgement. It is now clear to use at The Ditch that Israel is in fact a “racist, supremacist, apartheid state with a fascist government engaged in crimes against humanity and genocide.”