Online news site The Messenger, which touted itself as a digital oasis of nonpartisan journalism in the tumultuous sea of corporate media, has ceased operations, barely making it past the eight-month mark of its existence. The platform, founded by Jimmy Finkelstein, who had invested a staggering $50 million into its business endeavor, delivered a shocking blow to its workforce of around 300 journalists and staff when it suddenly shuttered its doors. The New York Times was the first to break the news, reporting on the abrupt shutdown orchestrated by Finkelstein himself, who had maintained a veil of secrecy…