Patrick Soon-Shiong introduces controversial bias meter for articles in Los Angeles Times
- Patrick Soon-Shiong plans to add a bias meter to LA Times articles to indicate the potential bias of news and opinion pieces.
- The announcement has sparked criticism from the Los Angeles Times Writers Guild, who fear it may compromise reporting integrity.
- The move reflects Soon-Shiong's desire to balance opinions in the newspaper, although it has caused internal friction and led to resignations among staff.
In November 2023, Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, revealed his intention to implement a bias meter for each article produced by the newspaper. This announcement was made during an appearance on Scott Jennings's podcast, Flyover Country, highlighting Soon-Shiong's concerns over what he perceived as a left-leaning bias within the newsroom. He argued that the paper had become an 'echo chamber' rather than a trusted news source. The bias meter is expected to be launched in January 2024 and aims to provide readers with information on the potential bias of the articles they consume, allowing them to understand differing perspectives on the same story. As part of this initiative, Jennings, a known conservative commentator, was appointed to the editorial board, raising eyebrows among staff members who felt this further confirmed the paper's shift towards a more conservative stance. Soon-Shiong's interventions have not gone without controversy; the Los Angeles Times Writers Guild publicly criticized the bias meter, expressing concerns that it could compromise the integrity of the reporting. The guild accused Soon-Shiong of suggesting bias within the staff without substantiation. The situation escalated further when editorial board member Harry Litman resigned in protest against Soon-Shiong's management style, which he claims fosters a political environment sympathetic to Donald Trump. The introduction of the bias meter comes at a time when the newspaper is navigating internal conflicts sparked by Soon-Shiong's previous actions, such as blocking an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. Those decisions resulted in backlash from both staff and readers, leading to subscription cancellations. Soon-Shiong’s goal is to introduce balance and ensure that multiple viewpoints are presented in coverage, yet his methods have put him at odds with core principles cherished by the paper's journalists. As the January launch approaches, the ramifications of the bias meter on the Los Angeles Times' readership and reporting standards remain uncertain.