What Do Resignations Mean for LA Times Endorsement Strategies?

Chaos ensues at the Los Angeles Times as top editorial resignations expose a rift over the newsroom’s role in political endorsements.

At a Glance

  • Robert Greene, Karin Klein, and Mariel Garza left the paper over its decision not to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024.
  • Owner Patrick Soon-Shiong reportedly prevented the editorial board’s endorsement, sparking tensions.
  • Mariel Garza criticized the paper’s silence, stressing the need for honest journalism during elections.
  • The resignations highlight concerns about ownership’s influence on media freedom.

The Fallout from LA Times Resignations

Resignations from the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board, including well-known figures like Robert Greene, Karin Klein, and Mariel Garza, have brought the debate over media endorsement policies to the forefront. Greene, recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for his work on the Los Angeles criminal justice system, and Klein, known for her insights on education and science, departed in protest. This upheaval underscores a larger struggle between journalistic independence and corporate influence.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the paper’s owner, reportedly instructed the editorial board not to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. This directive led to significant discord as the board had started the process to endorse Kamala Harris. The leadership’s stance on endorsements has raised questions surrounding the role of ownership in shaping editorial policies.

It also reveals just how bad Kamala Harris is at campaigning. Even Democrat-leaning media outlets don’t want her.

Mariel Garza, one of the resigning board members, voiced her dissent by leaving. “I am resigning because I want to make it clear that I am not okay with us being silent. In dangerous times, honest people need to stand up. This is how I’m standing up.”

Her vociferous opposition reflects the critical role of media as a societal watchdog, particularly in election times when voter guidance is paramount.

The internal conflict at the LA Times has drawn support for the journalists who voiced opposition to the non-endorsement policy. Hugo Martin described the resignations as a “significant loss” for the newsroom, emphasizing that such journalistic talent and insight cannot be readily replaced. The decision-making hierarchy, pushing for non-endorsement, challenges the ethos and responsibilities of a free press—an issue far broader than just the LA Times.

Soon-Shiong proposed a shift from endorsements to offering a balanced analysis of candidate policies. This alternative, however, was rejected by the board, leading to further tensions. With ownership pushing for silence, or neutrality, there’s an existential question on whether media can function without taking sides, especially when guiding the electorate requires hard stances.

Is silence truly unbiased, or is it a suppression of necessary discourse?

Kamala should really take heed, here. She might as well just…drop out. Right?