Turbulence at the Times

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times, has plunged his newspaper into an astonishing state of turmoil, leaving the largest publication west of the Mississippi in a state of disarray.

One day after opinion boss Mariel Garza resigned in protest of Soon-Shiong blocking the outlet's editorial board from making an endorsement in the high-stakes 2024 election, two more staffers have followed suit. Semafor’s Max Tani and The Wrap's Ross Lincoln reported Thursday evening tthat Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writer Robert Greene and longtime editorial writer Karin Klein also called it quits. And, amongst those who are still at the outlet, morale has sharply fallen.

Typically, the Times, like the other major newspapers, would report on itself and publish a story on the bedlam. Indeed, it has a rich history doing so. Earlier this year, for example, media reporter Meg James covered the abrupt resignation of then-top editor Kevin Merida, the subsequent departure of his top deputies, and the painful layoffs of 115 staffers.

However, amid the current upheaval, the Times has notably refrained from publishing any coverage of the chaos enveloping its own newsroom. That glaring omission is not a mere oversight, people familiar with the matter told me Thursday.

Get seen. Advertise with Status

Elevate your brand and expand its reach with Status, the reliable source for media pros. Reach top figures and decision makers across news, tech, politics, and entertainment. Advertise with Status and make an impact. Get in touch here.