L.A. Times Owner Instructs Editorial Board To Limit Negative Remarks About Trump

The owner of the Los Angeles Times has demanded that his editorial board relax on its attacks against President-elect Donald Trump.

Former CNN journalist Oliver Darcy said that he discovered a memo from The Times staff in which some complained that Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the newspaper, has been stepping in to stop negative editorials about the president-elect, Fox News reported.

The memo, which was sent to Executive Editor Terry Tang, was signed by several Opinion section staffers who said that the owner asked the editorial board to “take a break from writing about” the president-elect.

The staffers said they were concerned by what they considered to be the owner’s “alarming actions,” and said that they are committed to reporting “anything that might cast a shadow on the Times’ reputation,” the report said.

“We understand that Dr. Soon-Shiong has a role in shaping the tone and direction of the editorial board and Opinion section, but we are still bound by the core values and ethics of journalism, including a duty to be transparent and act in service of the public,” the memo said.

“We believe we have an obligation to report these under the ethics policy, which states that ‘the primary goal always should be to protect The Times’ integrity,’” it said.

Advertisement

The memo said that the owner “instituted a new policy that prohibits editorials containing criticism of the president-elect unless they are presented side-by-side with another opinion piece representing the ‘opposing view.’”

“This new restriction, which appears to apply only to matters involving Trump and not to other officials or issues, has effectively killed or indefinitely delayed multiple editorials that have been written and edited but remain unpublished,” it said.

The memo said that the owner now wants board members to send him every piece for approval before publishing.

“Editorial board positions and content have been preemptively censored before publication, and its arguments, headlines and topics subjected to boundaries that did not previously exist,” the memo said.

It is just one of the changes that the new owner has been making to The Times.

In November it was reported that Soon-Shiong is changing his editorial board as the legacy media continues to struggle.

For generations, newspapers have tended to be liberal, and their editorial boards have continued to endorse only Democrat presidential candidates, making them less and less relevant.

But The Times’ owner made a decision to add a fresh conservative voice to his editorial board as he hired conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings.

And unlike many “Republicans” hired by legacy media who have a disdain for President-elect Donald Trump the CNN commentator is one of his prominent supporters.

Advertisement
“It’s true—I’ve accepted Dr. Soon-Shiong’s invitation to join the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times,” he said on X. “I’ve written columns for the paper over the last few years and was honored to do so under such a storied and important masthead. I love newspapers and believe in strong journalism and strong opinion pages that represent a wide array of views.”

“I plan to represent those Americans who believe they are often ignored or even ridiculed in legacy media and applaud Dr. Soon-Shiong’s move to bring balance to the editorial board,” Jennings continued.

“My other professional obligations won’t be impacted by this new opportunity,” he added.

On November 26, The Times’ owner said that he would seek to add the CNN contributor to his paper’s editorial board.

“That’s why I want Scott on our new editorial board!!! Growing the board with experts who have thoughtful balanced views and new candidates are accepting the challenge to join us! Way to go Scott and thanks for accepting @latimes @ScottJenningsKY Stay tuned we are making this happen,” he said.

Related Posts

THE LUNCH WHERE EVERYTHING COLLAPSED

Six months later, Adrian pleaded guilty to assault and financial fraud, and his company forced him out after reviewing the evidence. Marjorie sold nearly everything she valued…

THE LUNCH WHERE EVERYTHING COLLAPSED

The financial investigator revealed unauthorized transfers linked to Marjorie’s companies, and suddenly even Adrian looked betrayed by his own mother. The same woman who taught him control…

THE LUNCH WHERE EVERYTHING COLLAPSED

Adrian opened the door expecting a package. Instead, two attorneys, a financial investigator, and a police officer stepped into the foyer. The confidence disappeared from his face…

THE LUNCH WHERE EVERYTHING COLLAPSED

Marjorie arrived at noon dressed in pearls and confidence, walking into my home like she already owned it. She sat in my chair, criticized my appearance, and…

The Videos That Exposed My Mother

The following morning, his mother arrived at the house furious, only to discover the access code no longer worked. Through the doorbell camera, he calmly informed her…

The Videos That Exposed My Mother

One evening, his mother smugly called again, demanding her grandson be returned home and insisting everyone now believed her lies. Clara sat quietly beside him holding their…