Opinion
Thoughtful columns and commentary pieces from The Desk contributors.
Study shows why some comedians can tell offensive jokes — but not others
It may simply be the case that people are given greater “license” to make disparaging jokes about groups they’re a part of, irrespective of their motives.
By:
Michael Thai & Alex Borgella
The public needs to financially invest in local news
The appetite for smart local news is there. The challenge is figuring out how to make it profitable.
By:
Damian Radcliffe
Disney Plus is so cheap because Disney wants your data
Disney is happy to subsidize Disney Plus at a deep discount of $7 a month because the Mr. Mouse company wants your data.
In the streaming space, there’s plenty of room for Netflix, Disney, Apple
Though the streaming media space is becoming increasingly crowded, it's not a winner-take-all scenario, and multiple choices may ultimately be good for the industry.
By:
Amanda Lotz & Ramon Lobato
Are we being stressed out by too many choices?
The proliferation of streaming services and the hundreds of movies and TV shows they offer could be triggering "choice overload," according to one university researcher.
By:
Thomas Saltsman
Will Spotify and Apple lose music the way Netflix has lost movies and shows?
Netflix and others are losing movies and TV shows to startup streaming services owned by content providers. Will music catalogs become fragmented in the same way?
By:
Andres Hervas-Drane & Paolo Aversa
How cable TV news helps people who want to lie
"Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the journalistic value of live interviews – and return to a standard that reflects what viewers should expect from news programming."
By:
Michael J. Socolow
Newspapers failed to cover rare tornado in local community
Local newspapers have one primary job: To publish local news. When they fail in this job, they can't complain about subscriber losses or a downturn in ad revenue.
Why parents should think twice about tracking apps for their kids
Tracking apps carry privacy and numerous other risks for children. Parents should think twice before buying them for their kids.
By:
Joel Michael Reynolds
Beyond the Column Inch: An article I wrote has generated some local controversy. Here’s why I stand behind it.
What happens when you cover something in a small town that people would rather you not uncover?
Beyond the Column Inch: Inaugural Post
Beyond will be a recurring series, published irregularly, where I’ll offer some insight as to how I newsgather and report for the paper, for social platforms and elsewhere
Journalists rally around intern who leveraged wildfire tragedy to drive subscriptions
Utah student and East Bay Times journalism intern Alison Berg has been criticized for using the Carr Fire to gleefully push for paid subscriptions.