In a surprising development, the Los Angeles Times is embroiled in controversy after a senior editor resigned over a decision by the newspaper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, to veto the editorial board's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. This decision to bar the endorsement has sparked an outcry among staff and led to a series of resignations, raising questions about the independence of one of California’s largest news outlets.
The editorial board had reportedly been preparing to endorse Harris when Soon-Shiong intervened, insisting the paper remain neutral and avoid backing any candidate. The choice to halt the endorsement quickly prompted the resignation of several key editorial members, including longtime editorial page editor Robert Greene. Greene described Soon-Shiong's actions as “a stifling of the editorial voice of the paper,” a move he felt was antithetical to the values of a free press. Greene’s resignation was closely followed by several others, as editors and staffers expressed deep frustration over what they perceive as an infringement on the journalistic integrity of the Times.
This follows LA Times who this week announced they would not make a presidential endorsement.
The LA Times was going to. The editorial editor drafted it. Then the paper announced it wouldn’t. The editor resigned.
Democracy does die in darkness. That is what people are saying. https://t.co/XiEgf4n8ON pic.twitter.com/VZS4X6vQlp
— Christine Beswick (@bychristinebswk) October 25, 2024
The fallout from this decision extends beyond individual resignations. Discontented staff members have voiced concerns that the veto signals a growing corporate influence over editorial decisions, particularly as other major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have openly endorsed Harris as their preferred candidate. The LA Times union, representing newsroom employees, issued a public statement decrying the owner’s interference, arguing that it undermines the credibility and objectivity of the newspaper. The union has even called on readers to reconsider canceling subscriptions over what it labeled an “unprecedented” move by Soon-Shiong, whom they accuse of “prioritizing corporate interests over journalism”.
This dramatic decision comes amid a particularly polarized political climate, as endorsements from prominent newspapers have historically wielded significant influence on public opinion. The New York Times, in its endorsement of Harris, framed the decision as necessary to counter what it described as a “dangerous alternative” in former President Donald Trump.
“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.” –Mariel Garza https://t.co/85ieI5IiNi
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) October 23, 2024
Other legacy media, such as Politico, have noted that Harris’s endorsement from major news outlets aligns with traditional Democratic values that resonate with their readership, particularly in states like California. However, critics argue that the Times’ failure to endorse Harris could be perceived as tacit support for the Trump campaign, even though that was not Soon-Shiong's stated intention.
Soon-Shiong, in response to the uproar, has defended his choice by emphasizing the importance of editorial neutrality. He argued that in such a politically charged environment, the paper’s credibility would be better preserved by abstaining from endorsements. This reasoning, however, has not alleviated the concerns of many journalists within the organization who fear that this move may set a precedent for future editorial control by ownership.
The incident has added fuel to an already heated debate surrounding the role of legacy media in shaping political discourse. The shift at the LA Times marks the first time in nearly two decades that the paper has withheld an endorsement in a presidential race, a move some view as a capitulation to political pressures. Meanwhile, media critics have suggested that Soon-Shiong’s decision could set a worrisome example, potentially leading other news organizations to reconsider their endorsement practices. The backlash from LA Times staff, combined with public criticism, reveals an underlying tension between newsroom autonomy and ownership influence.
As resignations continue to mount, industry insiders are closely watching to see whether other prominent editors will follow Greene’s lead, potentially leaving a void in the LA Times' editorial team. The incident highlights a critical challenge facing modern media outlets: balancing ownership's influence while upholding a commitment to independent journalism. With the 2024 election looming, the question of editorial endorsements in politically sensitive climates will likely remain a contentious issue, underscoring the difficulties many newsrooms face in navigating corporate and journalistic interests.
