L. A. Times Editorial Chief Quits After Owner Blocks Harris Endorsement
In a dramatic turn of events, Los Angeles Times Editorial Chief Sewell Chan resigned on Tuesday after owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the publication of an editorial endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for re-election. The move has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the growing influence of wealthy owners on the editorial independence of newspapers.
Chan, who has been with the Times since 2016, confirmed his resignation in a statement, saying he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision. “Our editorial independence is fundamental to our credibility and our ability to serve our readers,” he wrote. “I believe that this decision undermines those principles.”
Sources within the Times report that Soon-Shiong, a billionaire biotech entrepreneur, had expressed his opposition to the Harris endorsement, citing concerns about the political climate and potential backlash. However, the move has been met with fierce criticism, with many arguing that it represents a dangerous interference in the editorial process.
“This is a blatant attack on journalistic integrity,” stated Michael Sollenberger, president of the National Newspaper Guild, the union representing Times employees. “A newspaper owner should not be dictating editorial decisions based on personal opinions or political agendas.”
The incident underscores the growing tension between media ownership and editorial independence. While newspapers have long navigated complex relationships with their owners, the increasing influence of billionaires in the media landscape has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence.
As the dust settles on this high-profile resignation, the question remains: will this be a turning point in the fight for editorial independence, or will it be another example of the growing power of wealthy owners in shaping the news? The future of the Los Angeles Times, and the broader media landscape, may hang in the balance.