top editors of Los Angeles Times Worried staff were reportedly reassured on Friday after the paper's billionaire owner vowed to take the paper in a new direction to “ensure all voices are heard”.
LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong said he wants to redo the newspaper's “entire body” after promising earlier in the week that he would form a “new editorial board.”
“If it's news, it should just be facts,” Soon-Shiong explained to “Fox News@Night” host Trace Gallagher on Thursday. “And if it's an opinion, it's probably an opinion on the news, which I now call 'voice.' So we want voices from all sides to be heard.” I want the news to be just facts.”
LA Times Editor-in-Chief Terry Tan reportedly sent an email to staff after the interview aired to address “concerns” about Soon-Shiong's comments.
Los Angeles Times owner vows to shake things up and make historic paper a place where 'all voices' are heard
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, explains the direction he wants to take the paper. ((Patrick T. Fallon/AFP | Marco Tacca/Getty Images | Fox News Digital))
“Patrick has expressed his full support and confidence in me and my editorial leadership to run our reporting the same way we always have.The LA Times newsroom has always been committed to factual accuracy, thoroughness, and “We have been committed to accountable journalism, inclusive news reporting, and those principles and practices will continue,” she wrote. share By New York Times media reporter Ben Mullins.
“As stated in the interview, Patrick's interest is in expressing a more diverse range of opinions in the opinion section and in showing readers more clearly the difference between news and opinion articles. “We would like to share more about how this can be achieved,” Tan's email continued.
The editor concluded the email by promising a staff meeting to address the new protocols in the coming weeks.
In October, Soon-Shiong said he would not support any candidates in the 2024 presidential election, sparking an uproar among the paper's liberal staff. The paper's editorial board has endorsed every Democratic presidential candidate since 2008 and was scheduled to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
LA Times supports Gasson's re-election, says backlash against crime policies is a “fairy tale'' of the river
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election on the campus of Howard University on Wednesday, November 6, in Washington, DC. (AP/Jacqueline Martin)
The decision sparked a backlash from staff, with three editorial board members resigning in protest.
Over the weekend, Soon-Shiong promised to create a “new editorial board” at the paper to promote “trust” in the media following President-elect Donald Trump's landslide victory.
“When a president receives the votes of a majority of Americans, all voices must be heard. Opinions are just that. We strive to keep our newspapers and media fair and balanced so that people can exchange views…left to right to center. A new editorial board is essential for a strong democracy,” Soon-Shiong posted on X on Sunday.
Los Angeles Times owner announces paper will soon have a new editorial board to ensure “all voices are heard”
He reiterated on Fox News that he wants the paper to be more than an “echo chamber.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at Santander Arena on Monday, November 4, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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“So it's going to be risky and it's going to be difficult. I'm going to need a lot of heat, and I already am, but you know, I think it's really important that all voices are heard. “I come from a position of being,” he said. said FNC's Gallagher.
FOX News Digital reached out to the LA Times and Tan for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
FOX News' Lindsey Cornick contributed to this report.
