October 18, 2023
Tech Scrutiny Sustained by Legal and Public Pressure
Tech companies are being tested amid trials and turbulence. As tech titan Google navigates the biggest antitrust trial in decades, media coverage of the proceedings have been minimal. A multi-outlet effort led by The New York Times is seeking to unseal key information in a new motion filed with the court.
Despite record engagement and continued user growth, LinkedIn is laying off more than 3% of its global workforce. The 668 job cuts are the latest move in a larger restructuring that reflects the platform’s increasing reliance on AI. Renewed efforts targeting TikTok are gaining steam after reports surfaced of forthcoming legislation that would give the Commerce Department authority to regulate the app. X, formerly Twitter, continues struggling—the platform has lost nearly 12 percent of its users since Elon Musk took over.
Longstanding Norms Challenged as Newsrooms Adapt
As publications and the public adapt to a changing media landscape, new news norms are emerging. College journalism is thriving with more students producing noteworthy stories—from university investigations to state government coverage. While some social media companies have moved away from news, Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has leaned in heavily, with more than 250 editors and writers creating original content.
Amid an array of challenges to longstanding speech norms, the U.S. Supreme Court has maintained a legal precedent that limits the latitude of public officials pursuing defamation claims. Advances in technology and shifts in the labor market have meant less active newsrooms with more reporters working remotely.
Remote Work Debate Not Dying Down
Months after return-to-office mandates, the back-and-forth over remote work is far from over. Employees are seeking more flexibility as employers aim to keep more workers in-office. New polling found more than two-thirds of CEOs leading large companies are looking to revert to pre-pandemic office attendance. Recent research also reveals employees are more likely than ever to leave jobs without flexible options.
While flexible schedules benefit workers, data suggest remote options also boost employer bottom lines. A 2023 global study found 72% of employers with remote international teams reported increases in productivity. Rising costs have made office attendance more expensive for workers. A new study shows that U.S. employees who have returned to office work five days a week spend an average of $51 each workday.
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Sequence Summaries: Tech Trials, News Norms, and Remote Realities
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