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CV NEWS FEED // In a goal described as a “rebirth” for his publication, billionaire Pat Soon-Shiong has announced that the Los Angeles Times will undergo significant changes from the top down. The changes are efforts to have the paper report factually, rather than with a one-sided, opinionated approach.
“I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard and we can respectfully exchange every American’s view ..from left to right to the center,” Soon-Shiong posted to X on November 10, noting the importance of trust in media. “Coming soon. A new Editorial Board.”
Soon-Shiong had preceded the announcement with an X post two days after Donald Trump won the presidential election, both by more electoral college votes than current Vice President Kamala Harris, and by winning the popular vote.
“The American people have spoken and @latimes will take the lead to provide factual and balanced coverage as the country heals its division,” Soon-Shiong posted on November 7.
Soon-Shiong elaborated in a November 15 X post on how the LA Times would work on accomplishing this. His publication will explicitly specify when an article is “opinion,” which the publication will be calling “Voices,” and when an article is “News.” Making this distinction for readers is the paper’s duty, he wrote.
Soon-Shiong made headlines before the election when he stopped his editorial board from endorsing Harris for president. Several board members resigned after this decision.
In an X post that, as viewed on November 15, has 3.5 million views, about the non-endorsement, Soon-Shiong explained that the Editorial Board was given the option of running a comparison analysis report on the candidates’ policies, good and bad, and include the Board’s analysis of potential future implications for the country based on the policies.
“In this way, with this clear and non-partisan information side-by-side, our readers could decide who would be worthy of being President for the next four years,” Soon-Shiong wrote. “Instead of adopting this path as suggested, the Editorial Board chose to remain silent and I accepted their decision.”
In his November 15 post, Soon-Shiong said he is “staying strong and resolute” in the decision to revamp the LA Times.
“[I]t is clear we need to rebirth the organization and allow dissenting views and ALL voices to be expressed… whether from the left, right or center,” he wrote. “This won’t be easy, but I’m committed to making this happen and to help heal our divided nation through a platform that enables civil discourse.”
