Art of the Pan:
Once feared by publicists and denigrated by writers, negative reviews have proliferated in cultural criticism. "The final season of Game of Thrones will inspire tens of millions of words of content," said Rob Harvilla, "but is it beyond the point of inspiring provocative, effective criticism? And will the final season, as a stand-alone piece of entertainment, actually be 'good'?"
"Business As Usual":
Digital First Media has "proposed to buy Gannett for $12 a share in cash," the company announced Monday. Owned by New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital, Digital First is "known for buying distressed properties," including a variety of newspaper. Critics have accused the company of "[cutting] deeper than most of its rivals" in its management approach.
"Fix Some of the Challenges":
Twitter will launch "a new beta program where a select group of users will get access to features, by way of a standalone app, to use and talk about new features with others." The company "will use data that it picks up from that usage and chatter to decide how and if to turn those tests into full-blown product features for the rest of its user base."
Disputed:
A member of the National Academies ad hoc committee on cannabinoids has accused David Berenson of misrepresenting research included in the panel's 2017 report in a recent New York Times op-ed. "We did not conclude that cannabis causes schizophrenia," said Ziva Cooper, a UCLA pharmacologist. "We found [...] an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia and [...] an association between cannabis use and improved cognitive outcomes in individuals with psychotic disorders." Berenson's forthcoming book on the alleged relationship between marijuana, violence and mental illness was cited in a January New Yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell.
"Happy Ending":
The Portland Press-Herald has restored freelance book reviews to its Sunday edition (published as the Maine Sunday Telegram) after Stephen King "lodged a protest on Twitter" that resulted in 100 new digital subscriptions. However, media writer Dan Kennedy cautioned that this approach may be emulated by other news organizations: "I hope this doesn’t become a habit. Hey, let’s tell everyone we’re going to stop covering restaurants unless we can sell 1,000 more subscriptions."
"Anticipation of Consolidation":
Digital First Media "has made an offer for USA Today publisher Gannett Co," sources said Sunday. The "hedge fund-backed media group" has "quietly built a 7.5% position in Gannett’s stock and is urging the McLean, Va., publisher to review its strategic alternatives," including a "moratorium on digital investments." Digital First Media "is known for its contentious history with the newspaper industry in part because of its penchant for slashing costs."
"Retained, Paying Customers":
Piano, a "content monetization and audience intelligence technology company," announced Thursday that it has raised $22 milion in a Series B funding round led by Updata Partners. The firm's paywall management system is utilized by more than 1,000 news and media organizations, including Business Insider, the Economist, Bloomberg, Men’s Health, AdAge and Digiday.
"Colonial Attitudes":
The Native American Journalists Association has "[expressed] concern about the Huffington Post’s 'Mainstream Media Is Blowing Its Coverage Of Elizabeth Warren’s DNA Test' article by Jennifer Bendery and its impact on Indigenous communities and tribal citizens." According to the Association, the publication "has oversimplified a complex topic that is critically important to Indigenous communities."
"The Source Of Style":
Will Welch has succeeded Jim Nelson as the editor-in-chief of GQ. An editor at the magazine since 2007, Welch announced his intention to craft the publication as "the only place to go when you want a rich, intelligent and transportive plunge into all the stylishness the world has to offer" in an introductory letter.
"A Mobile Corps":
Although "union membership as a share of the workforce in the United States has fallen to its lowest point in 80 years," the "number of unionized workers in internet publishing has risen 20-fold since 2010." According to Marick F. Masters of Wayne State University and Raymond F. Gibney of Penn State University-Harrisburg, the union contract at Thrillist, for example, includes "merit-based raises, eight weeks paid parental leave, just cause for discipline and discharge, severance pay enhancements and the elimination of 'pre-existing non-compete agreements.'"
