Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shione revealed Wednesday that he intends to implement a “bias meter” for the paper's news and opinion coverage in January, sparking a backlash from the paper's staff the next day, the New York Times said. The Times reported.
Soon-Shiong was quoted by CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings on Wednesday as saying,flyover country” Podcast. In response, the Los Angeles Times Guild issued a statement Thursday. statement One of the columnists resigned on the same day, accusing the journalists represented by Soon-Shiong of implying bias. According to To the New York Times. (Related article: 'The panic is so outrageous': Scott Jennings hits back at CNN panelists who are horrified by the idea of Musk buying MSNBC)
“Regardless of which party is in power, we speak truth to power. Recently, newspaper owners have accused their staff of being biased, without providing evidence or examples. publicly suggested,” the guild wrote. “This statement was issued after the owner blocked the paper's editorial board from endorsing the president and unfairly blamed the editorial board's staff for that decision. Dr. Soon-Shiong's statements in the press and on social media They reflect his own opinions and do not shape reporting by our member journalists.”
“Our members, and all Times staff, adhere to a strict set of ethical guidelines that call for fairness, accuracy, transparency, vigilance against bias, and a passionate quest to understand all sides of an issue. I am doing it,” he continued. “These long-standing principles will continue to guide our work. The Guild has strong ethical protections for its members, including the right to withhold byline lines, and we ensure that our reports are not unfairly or any efforts to improperly change it.”
Harry Littman, a senior legal columnist in the Los Angeles Times Opinion Department, also announced his resignation from the paper Thursday in “protest” against Soon-Shiong's “conduct” on “Federal Speaks.” substack.
“Mr. Soon-Shiong has made several moves to force the paper into a more sympathetic stance, over strong staff opposition.” [President-elect] It's Donald Trump. ”
According to the New York Times, the owner of the Los Angeles Times said on Jennings' podcast that he was developing a “bias meter” using artificial intelligence technology for the health care business.
“We have a bias meter, so when someone reads it, they know there's some degree of bias in the source of the article,” he says. “And what we have to do is make sure we don't have what's called confirmation bias, so automatically that story comes up. Readers can press a button and based on that story. You can get both sides of the same story and comment on them.”
The Los Angeles Times also decided not to support the president in 2024 for the first time in 20 years at the direction of Soon-Shiong. According to To semaphor. The media outlet's board had traditionally supported the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, until Soon-Shiong instructed it not to endorse the president, two people familiar with the matter told Semaphore. Ta.
Mr. Jennings recently joined the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board following the resignation of senior staff members over the board's decision not to support Ms. Harris.
That's why I want Scott to join our new editorial board!!! We are growing our board by accepting the challenge of bringing in experts and new candidates with thoughtful, balanced views. As expected of Scott, thank you for accepting me. @latimes @ScottJenningsKY It's currently in production, so please look forward to it…
— Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) November 26, 2024
Ahead of the November election, Americans' trust in the media has fallen to a record low. According to Based on October Gallup poll. Approximately 36% declared they had “no trust in” the mass media, while only 31% said they trusted the media “quite a lot” or “quite a lot”; was 33%.
The Los Angeles Times and the LA Times Guild did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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