It wasn't in this post, but it was a separate rumor that the site would be deleted. This sounds crazy, but is exactly what other digital publications have done recently.

Any examples? I don't remember any news about this, although the only publication I can remember with major changes recently is Pitchfork.

There can be licensing issues, stuff breaks, stuff gets hacked, most content just gets really stale...

I was involved with some sites recently that stopped publishing new content. The plan is to keep most of it around for now. But I have no illusions that if it becomes a "project" for some reason or another in a few years, it will just be turned off.

it says "we will no longer publish content on vice.com" which is ambiguous.

If I stop posting new content, have I stopped publishing? Or is it if I stop serving, then I've stopped publishing?

It is not ambiguous. They are no longer publishing new content. They have not said they will unpublish existing content.

“New” is not in the original post.

Saying “we will no longer publish content” could very well mean they are taking down the site; thus it is no longer published

I think it’s very likely that this is what’s going to happen because even a static archive site is going to cost money and dilute their new social brand

Perhaps they’ll repost their old stuff on their new channels but it will nevertheless suck for old timers like me that refuse to use social media