Tensions are reportedly brewing at the Los Angeles Times as workers allege that billionaire owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong has intervened to limit critical editorial coverage of US President-elect Donald Trump. According to a report by the New York Post, the South Africa-born entrepreneur’s influence over editorial decisions has sparked backlash among the paper’s staff.
Dr. Soon-Shiong, who acquired the LA Times in 2018, has reportedly discouraged the publication of critical Trump-related commentaries. Media reporter Oliver Darcy revealed in his Status newsletter that the billionaire’s involvement is more pervasive than previously known.
According to the New York Times, Soon-Shiong recently blocked an editorial titled, "Donald Trump’s cabinet choices are not normal. The Senate’s confirmation process should be," which argued against Trump’s recess appointments. Additionally, a memo signed by members of the opinion section accuses Soon-Shiong of implementing a policy requiring Trump-related criticisms to be paired with opposing viewpoints, effectively delaying or shelving multiple editorials.
The memo also alleges that the editorial board has been required to submit all editorials and the names of their writers to Soon-Shiong prior to publication, raising concerns about potential retaliation and editorial independence.
The controversial restrictions have reportedly led to several resignations. Senior legal columnist Harry Litman resigned in protest, accusing Soon-Shiong of prioritizing favorable relations with Trump over journalistic integrity. Litman described the changes as a “shameful capitulation.”
Soon-Shiong’s policies also align with his recent efforts to balance the paper’s perceived political slant. In November, he stated, “Our current board of opinion writers veered very left... In order to have balance, you also need somebody who would trend right and, more importantly, somebody that would trend in the middle.” As part of this initiative, he hired conservative commentator Scott Jennings to join the editorial board.
An LA Times spokesperson acknowledged the concerns raised by staff, stating, “Our management team is currently reviewing the concerns expressed in the letter.”
Soon-Shiong’s broader plans to address perceived bias include the creation of a “bias meter” for every article published by the paper. However, this move has been met with skepticism from staff, who fear it could further undermine editorial independence.
The developments have reignited debates about the role of ownership in journalistic freedom, with critics arguing that Soon-Shiong’s policies could compromise the LA Times’ reputation as a trusted news source.
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