Owner’s Interference at L.A. Times Raises Concerns
In a shocking revelation, ex-CNN journalist Oliver Darcy uncovered a memo detailing the owner of The Los Angeles Times, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong’s, directive to the editorial board to ease up on criticizing President-elect Donald Trump. The memo, signed by multiple Opinion section staffers, expressed deep concern over Dr. Soon-Shiong’s interference in editorial decisions, sparking outrage among the staff.
Staff Speak Out Against Owner’s Actions
The memo revealed that Dr. Soon-Shiong instructed the editorial board to refrain from writing about the president-elect, a move that was deemed “alarming” by the staff. Despite acknowledging Dr. Soon-Shiong’s role in shaping the paper’s direction, the staff emphasized their commitment to journalistic ethics and transparency, vowing to uphold the integrity of The Times.
New Policy Limits Criticism of President-elect
Furthermore, the memo disclosed a troubling new policy implemented by Dr. Soon-Shiong, which prohibits editorials criticizing Trump unless they are accompanied by an opposing view. This restriction has led to the suppression of multiple critical editorials, raising concerns about censorship and editorial independence at the paper.
Backlash and Push for Non-Partisan Reporting
Dr. Soon-Shiong’s efforts to position The Los Angeles Times as a “middle-of-the-road, trustworthy news source” have faced significant backlash, with the paper losing subscribers and staff members in response to the declined endorsement of a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. Despite the criticism, Dr. Soon-Shiong remains committed to promoting diverse voices on the new Editorial Board in pursuit of non-partisan reporting.
As concerns mount over editorial interference and censorship at The Los Angeles Times, the journalism community awaits further developments to see how the paper navigates its commitment to journalistic integrity amid growing pressure from its owner.
