Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong is shaking things up at the esteemed newsroom with the introduction of an AI-powered "bias meter" aimed at offering readers insights on the potential bias within news articles. This initiative, slated for release in January, marks another bold step by Soon-Shiong, who acquired the Times back in 2018, but it has ignited significant backlash from within the newsroom.
During conversations with CNN political analyst Scott Jennings, who is set to join the editorial board, Soon-Shiong discussed his vision for the bias meter—an augmented intelligence tool partially based on similar technology he has developed for healthcare applications since 2010. He stressed the importance of transparency, stating, "Somebody could understand as they read it, the source of the article has some level of bias," emphasizing the necessity to combat confirmation bias, which often sways readers' perceptions.
With the press of a button, Soon-Shiong explained, readers will be able to see differing perspectives on the same story, inviting them to engage with various viewpoints. This drive aligns with his critique of mainstream media, which he believes has done poorly at distinguishing between news and opinion. He stated, "That could be the downfall of what now people call mainstream media." Although his intentions might aim to enrich the reader's experience, the implementation of such technology has raised eyebrows.
The dispute over the newfound direction of the Times has been exacerbated by Soon-Shiong's recent decision to block the newspaper's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, coupled with his intention to overhaul the editorial board, steering it toward more conservative and moderate voices. These moves have sparked discontent and prompted resignations among staff members who worry about the integrity and independence of their reporting.
The Los Angeles Times Guild, representing its employees, voiced strong opposition to Soon-Shiong's remarks, perceiving them as unfounded allegations of bias among journalists. They responded by stating, "All Times staffers and our members adhere to a rigorous set of ethics guidelines, which call for fairness, precision, transparency, vigilance against bias, and an earnest search to understand all sides of an issue. Those enduring principles will guide our work." This gesture indicates the union’s commitment to uphold high journalistic standards amid rising tensions.
Further complicate matters, Harry Litman, the Times’ senior legal affairs columnist and prominent member of its opinion section, announced his resignation. He detailed his departure as not just personal, but as "an outspoken protest" against Soon-Shiong’s recent actions, particularly his alleged push for the newspaper to adopt a pro-Donald Trump narrative. Litman characterized this shift as "disgusting and dangerous," particularly considering the potential implications of Trump’s second term for American democracy.
Before Litman's announcement, Kerry Cavanaugh, the assistant editorial page editor, also chose to part ways with the Times. Sources revealed this was related to the increasing oversight Soon-Shiong had begun applying to opinion section headlines and content prior to publication. Such reviews, insiders noted, aimed to align editorial voices with Soon-Shiong's perceived direction, raising alarms about the freedom of press and editorial independence.
The Los Angeles Times, with its long and storied legacy, now finds itself at a crossroads. Amid mounting pressure, Soon-Shiong's commitment to transparency through this bias meter reflects broader concerns within the media ecosystem—particularly as trust wanes. By offering dual perspectives on news stories, he hopes to empower readers against echo chambers and promote informed discourse.
Despite these intentions, the abrupt and sweeping changes within the editorial framework have ignited discussions about the very foundation of journalistic integrity and independence. Will the bias meter genuinely serve its purpose? Or will it mark yet another attempt to blend news with opinion, undermining the trust readers place in their sources? Only time will tell as the Los Angeles Times navigates these uncharted waters, wrestling with the challenges of modern media consumption against its rich journalistic tradition.