Layoffs hit CNET as its parent company goes on a buying spree

Here is a 178-word summary of the news article: Ziff Davis, the media conglomerate that owns outlets like CNET, ZDNet, and Mashable, is laying off 15% of its unionized workforce, or 23 people. The majority of the layoffs, 19 positions, are coming from CNET, impacting areas like finance, broadband, and sleep coverage, as well as the copy desk. The layoffs come even as Ziff Davis goes on an acquisition spree, having bought five companies this year alone, including TheSkimm and Well+Good. The union representing Ziff Davis workers, the Ziff Davis Creators Guild, says the cuts are "about money and greed" rather than journalism. CNET has faced a turbulent few years, including a scandal in 2023 over AI-generated content with errors. After being acquired by Ziff Davis in 2024, the union was rolled into the Creators Guild. The guild says Ziff's decision to cut staff amid its buying activities is "disturbing" and that they will fight to enforce their collective bargaining agreement to preserve quality journalism.