Los Angeles Times Editorial Crisis Escalates

The Los Angeles Times is facing internal turmoil following the resignation of editorials editor Mariel Garza, who cited the newspaper's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate as a failure to speak out in critical times. Owner Patrick Soon-Shiong expressed disappointment with the editorial board's refusal to provide a comparative analysis of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, arguing for a neutral presentation of facts rather than opinions. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding ownership influence over editorial content, as Soon-Shiong has previously interfered with newsroom operations. Meanwhile, the local news landscape continues to deteriorate, with a new report indicating a significant decline in local newspapers and the rise of 'ghost newspapers' that lack original reporting. The Medill School of Journalism's report underscores the growing local news crisis, exacerbated by mergers and acquisitions and the emergence of standalone digital news sites. The need for robust community news coverage remains critical as local news deserts expand.