The owner of the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, recently spoke with his own staff about his plans for the future of the paper. In the interview, he stated that he would sell the paper if he doesn’t see financial progress. He emphasized the importance of increasing the LA Times’ reach, saying that it’s necessary to “not be an echo chamber of one side.”
Soon-Shiong has faced backlash from staff members and readers after stopping the editorial board from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris before the election, resulting in the loss of over 20,000 subscribers. He has also faced criticism for planning to bring in more conservative writers to the opinion section and editorial board.
Despite this, Soon-Shiong is committed to making the LA Times a “middle-of-the-road, trustworthy news source.” He has also expressed his goal of creating a “bias meter” that would allow readers to know the ideological lean of a particular story or opinion piece.
The LA Times is not the only publication to face backlash after not endorsing a candidate. The Washington Post also faced criticism and a decline in subscriptions after deciding not to endorse Harris in the election. MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski accused former President Trump of “forcing” the Post’s editorial board to not endorse Harris.
Despite the challenges, Soon-Shiong remains committed to his vision for the LA Times, saying that “something has to change” in order for the paper to be sustainable in the current media landscape. He believes that by increasing the paper’s online presence and engaging with readers more effectively, he can ensure the long-term survival of the LA Times.
