Deseret Digital MediaEdit
Deseret Digital Media (DDM) is the digital arm of Deseret Management Corporation, the for-profit umbrella of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Based in Salt Lake City, DDM oversees a family of digital platforms that deliver news, information, and lifestyle content to Utah residents and audiences beyond the state’s borders. Its portfolio centers on local reporting, community service, and practical information—areas seen by supporters as essential to a well-governed, prosperous region. DDM operates in a highly competitive media ecosystem that includes legacy newspapers, broadcast outlets, and national digital publishers, and it emphasizes a sustainable, market-driven approach to journalism in the digital age. Deseret Management Corporation Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints KSL Deseret News
DDM’s role in Utah’s information landscape reflects a blend of tradition and modern media economics. The organization seeks to combine the reliability and anchored community focus characteristic of local reporting with a digital-first strategy that emphasizes speed, accessibility, and user engagement. By integrating editorial content with robust digital channels, DDM aims to meet residents where they consume news and services, from desktop portals to mobile apps and streaming platforms. In doing so, it participates in a broader conversation about how communities fund and sustain independent journalism in a competitive marketplace. KSL KSL-TV KSL Newsradio Deseret News Deseret.com
History
Origins and formation
Deseret Digital Media emerged as the digital, revenue-generating core of Deseret Management Corporation, the business arm aligned with the LDS Church. The move to organize and grow digital properties was driven by a need to adapt traditional media assets to a rapidly changing information economy, preserve local reporting, and provide a sustainable platform for community-oriented content. The result was a consolidated, multi-platform operation intended to serve Utah’s readers and advertisers with fast, reliable local news and information. Deseret Management Corporation Bonneville International
Expansion and strategy
DDM built out a digital ecosystem that includes a prominent news portal and related content channels, notably through KSL-branded outlets and Deseret News’ digital presence. The strategy emphasizes local coverage—covering government, crime, schools, business, and quality-of-life issues—paired with digital tools for users and advertisers. The effort also focuses on leveraging data, video, and mobile experiences to compete with other local publishers and national platforms on audience reach and monetization. KSL KSL-TV KSL Newsradio Deseret News Deseret.com
Corporate governance and independence
As a unit tied to a faith-based, for-profit organization, DDM has faced questions about editorial independence and the degree to which religious ownership influences coverage. Proponents argue that DDM maintains professional newsroom standards, transparency, and accountability, including editorial independence and corrections when needed, while leveraging the stability and community orientation that come with a mission-driven employer. Critics emphasize the importance of clear separation between church-owned management and newsroom decision-making to preserve trust among a diverse audience. The balance between mission, business needs, and journalistic integrity continues to shape discussions about DDM’s role in Utah’s media environment. Deseret Management Corporation Bonneville International Salt Lake Tribune
Operations and properties
KSL.com and related digital properties: The core online products associated with the KSL brand, including news, weather, traffic, and community information. These platforms are integrated with broader broadcast operations to provide a multiplatform news experience. KSL KSL-TV KSL Newsradio
Deseret.com and Deseret News digital presence: The online home for Deseret News content, lifestyle features, and enterprise reporting, often cross-promoted with KSL channels and Deseret Digital Media services. Deseret News Deseret.com
Deseret Digital Media’s broader portfolio: In addition to news, DDM’s digital channels cover a range of consumer content, including lifestyle, events, and local business information, aimed at engaging Utah’s residents and advertisers in a diversified revenue model. Deseret Management Corporation Bonneville International
Corporate ecosystem and affiliations: DDM sits within a larger family of media and broadcasting interests that include affiliated radio and television operations, all anchored by a commitment to community service and practical information for local audiences. Bonneville International
Business model and impact
DDM pursues a diversified revenue approach that blends advertising, sponsorships, and digital services with an emphasis on sustaining high-quality local journalism. By focusing on scalable digital platforms, the company aims to deliver measurable engagement for advertisers while maintaining a robust newsroom that serves the public interest. The Utah market—with its distinctive civic life and strong sense of community—offers a favorable environment for local journalism to thrive under a sustainable business model that prioritizes reliability, accessibility, and timely information. The organization’s approach shapes how residents access government information, consumer news, and community announcements, and interacts with other major outlets in the regional ecosystem. KSL Deseret News Salt Lake Tribune
Controversies and debates
Editorial independence and religious ownership: Critics question whether the LDS Church’s ownership of Deseret Digital Media could influence editorial choices. Proponents contend that professional newsroom standards, transparent practices, and editorial oversight safeguard objectivity, with independent editors and fact-checking processes anchored in prior journalistic norms. The debate centers on credibility and trust in local press, particularly in a market where readers are exposed to a variety of information sources. Deseret Management Corporation Bonneville International Salt Lake Tribune
Coverage balance in a regional context: Some observers argue that a faith-founded organization may emphasize certain values or issues aligned with community norms. Supporters counter that DDM’s coverage remains focused on practical, day-to-day reporting—local government, public safety, education, and community life—that matters most to Utahns, while still respecting diverse viewpoints within the audience. The tension between regional priorities and national media narratives is a constant feature of modern local journalism. Deseret News KSL Salt Lake Tribune
Woke criticisms and local relevance: In the broader media conversation, some commentators frame national debates about bias or cultural shifts as a benchmark for local outlets. From a market-oriented perspective, the primary task is delivering accurate information efficiently to residents who rely on timely updates for everyday decisions. Critics who accuse local outlets of “bias” sometimes rely on broad national narratives that may not reflect Utah’s distinct civic concerns; defenders argue that focusing on local, actionable reporting serves the public more effectively than adopting distant ideological agendas. Proponents of this view contend that local journalism should prioritize practical coverage—governing decisions, school funding, infrastructure, and public safety—over divisive national culture-war discourse. Salt Lake Tribune KSL Deseret News