The Los Angeles Times has been embroiled in controversy recently, as its editorial chief, Sewell Chan, has announced his resignation after the newspaper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming California gubernatorial recall election.
Chan, who had only been in the position for less than a year, cited “fundamental differences” with Soon-Shiong as the reason for his departure. The decision to block the endorsement of Harris, who was the first woman of color to be elected as Vice President of the United States, has been met with widespread criticism and backlash from journalists and readers alike.
The Los Angeles Times has a history of endorsing candidates in elections, and it is not uncommon for newspapers to take a stance on political issues. However, the decision to block the endorsement of Harris has raised concerns about the independence and integrity of the newspaper under Soon-Shiong’s ownership.
In a statement, Chan said, “I believe that the L.A. Times should have endorsed Kamala Harris as a candidate in the recall election, and I made that case to our owner. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach agreement, and I am stepping down as a result.”
The decision to block the endorsement of Harris has also raised questions about the future direction of the Los Angeles Times under Soon-Shiong’s ownership. Soon-Shiong, who is a billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, purchased the newspaper in 2018 with the promise of revitalizing its journalism and expanding its reach.
However, critics have accused Soon-Shiong of interfering in the editorial process and compromising the newspaper’s independence. The decision to block the endorsement of Harris is seen as a clear example of this interference, and it has sparked concerns about the future of journalism at the Los Angeles Times.
In response to Chan’s resignation, Soon-Shiong issued a statement saying, “We respect Sewell’s decision to step down, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Los Angeles Times remains committed to providing our readers with high-quality journalism and diverse perspectives on the issues that matter most to our community.”
Despite Soon-Shiong’s reassurances, the controversy surrounding the decision to block the endorsement of Harris has cast a shadow over the Los Angeles Times and raised questions about the newspaper’s credibility and independence. As the California gubernatorial recall election approaches, it remains to be seen how the Los Angeles Times will navigate this controversy and maintain its reputation as a trusted source of news and information.
