Why CNN Hired BuzzFeed's Top Political Reporters and What It Says About BuzzFeed News

'Nothing minor league' about this team

Two months ago, CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker dismissed two leading, young-skewing digital news sites, saying, "I don't think Vice and BuzzFeed are legitimate news organizations. They are native advertising shops. We crush both of them."

This week, CNN, the crusher, made its boldest digital move yet by hiring away one of BuzzFeed's most prolific scoop artists, Andrew Kaczynski. The news organization also hired Kaczynski's team of researchers including deputy politics editor Kyle Blaine, and reporters Nate McDermott and Christopher Massie.

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