LA Times Editor Resigns After Harris Endorsement Is Blocked
The Los Angeles Times editor Kevin Merida resigned on Tuesday after his bid to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president was blocked by the newspaper’s publisher.
The resignation marks a dramatic chapter in the longstanding tension between newsrooms and their corporate owners, a divide that has been amplified by the increasing political polarization in the United States.
Merida, who was appointed editor in 2020, had sought to publish an editorial endorsing Harris in the 2024 presidential election. However, the publisher, Patrick Soon-Shiong, a billionaire scientist and entrepreneur who acquired the paper in 2018, reportedly overruled the editorial board’s decision.
The reasons behind Soon-Shiong’s decision remain unclear. The publisher’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
However, some reports suggested that Soon-Shiong, who has previously expressed concerns about the increasing influence of political donations in media outlets, believed that an endorsement would compromise the paper’s journalistic integrity. Others speculated that he might have had concerns about alienating potential advertisers or subscribers.
The controversy sparked a debate about the role of corporate owners in shaping editorial decisions, particularly in an era of increasingly partisan media.
Some argued that publishers have the right to exercise control over their publications, while others contended that such interventions threaten the independence of the press.
Journalists at the Los Angeles Times, many of whom expressed support for Merida’s decision to endorse Harris, raised concerns about Soon-Shiong’s involvement in editorial matters.
“This is a very dangerous precedent,” said one reporter, who asked not to be named. “If publishers can dictate editorial decisions, what is the future of journalism?”
In his resignation letter, Merida expressed disappointment but maintained his commitment to journalistic independence.
“While I respect the publisher’s right to make ultimate decisions, I believe that in this instance, the decision to overrule the editorial board was wrong,” he wrote. “Journalism is a vital institution, and it is essential that news organizations maintain their editorial independence.”
Merida’s resignation comes at a time when media outlets are facing mounting pressure from both political and corporate interests.
As news consumption shifts online and social media platforms become increasingly dominant, publishers are struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
At the same time, political polarization and the rise of fake news have eroded public trust in journalism.
In this challenging environment, the Los Angeles Times’s internal strife over the Harris endorsement underscores the importance of safeguarding the editorial independence of news organizations.
Merida’s decision to resign highlights the growing tensions between the pursuit of journalistic integrity and the demands of corporate owners, raising crucial questions about the future of independent journalism in a world dominated by commercial interests.
