The resignation of the editorials editor of the Los Angeles Times has sparked controversy after the newspaper’s owner reportedly blocked the editorial board’s plans to endorse Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president. This decision has raised questions about journalistic integrity and the role of media outlets in shaping public opinion during a contentious election cycle.
Mariel Garza, the editorials editor who resigned from her position, spoke out about her decision in an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review. She expressed her concern about the Times remaining silent on such an important issue during what she described as “dangerous times.” Garza emphasized the need for honest people to stand up and speak out, which led to her resignation as a form of protest against the newspaper’s perceived lack of transparency and accountability.
In response to Garza’s resignation, LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong defended his decision to block the endorsement of any presidential candidate. He stated that the editorial board was asked to conduct a factual analysis of the policies of both Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump, in order to provide readers with a non-partisan perspective on the candidates’ platforms and their potential impact on the nation. Soon-Shiong emphasized the importance of presenting clear and unbiased information to allow readers to make informed decisions about the upcoming election.
Despite the board’s intention to endorse Kamala Harris, Soon-Shiong revealed that they chose to remain silent on the issue, and he respected their decision. This decision has sparked backlash from both within and outside the newsroom, with the LA Times Guild Unit Council & Bargaining Committee expressing deep concern over the owner’s interference in the editorial process. They criticized Soon-Shiong for unfairly assigning blame to the Editorial Board members for his decision not to endorse a candidate, and called for transparency and accountability within the newsroom.
The fallout from Garza’s resignation has also been felt in the political sphere, with Trump’s campaign seizing on the LA Times’ decision not to endorse a candidate. They pointed out that the state’s largest newspaper had previously endorsed Harris in her previous races for U.S. Senate and state attorney general, raising questions about the newspaper’s editorial stance and its potential impact on the election.
Garza’s resignation comes on the heels of the departure of then-Executive Editor Kevin Merida, which was described as a “mutually agreed upon” decision. At the time, the LA Times acknowledged that they had fallen short of their digital subscriber goals and needed to boost revenue to sustain their newsroom and digital operations. This turnover in leadership raises questions about the future direction of the newspaper and its commitment to journalistic integrity in the face of external pressures and financial challenges.
Overall, the resignation of the editorials editor of the Los Angeles Times has sparked a debate about the role of media outlets in endorsing political candidates and shaping public opinion. It has raised questions about journalistic independence, transparency, and accountability in a rapidly changing media landscape. As the election approaches, the decision to remain silent on endorsing a candidate has implications for the newspaper’s credibility and its ability to engage with readers in a meaningful way.
