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Since early 2019, six prominent @latimes editors have been pushed out, demoted or had responsibilities reduced because of failures of management
The Times assigned 2 reporters to investigate the controversies in an effort to be transparent with its readers https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
The Times assigned 2 reporters to investigate the controversies in an effort to be transparent with its readers https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
With the Soon-Shiong family's 2018 acquisition of the @latimes came a sense of hope after a decade of upheaval.
But managerial missteps and ethical lapses have contributed to anxiety and distrust in the newsroom. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
But managerial missteps and ethical lapses have contributed to anxiety and distrust in the newsroom. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
“After the sale, we were expecting that a reimagination and rejuvenation would unfold. Instead, we’ve had controversies and scandals." - Image Editor Marques Harper https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
The troubles first boiled over after George Floyd’s killing. Staff members took to social media and Slack to demand The Times address failures in covering communities of color and retaining journalists from underrepresented backgrounds. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
Criticism about institutional racism was soon joined by outrage over accusations of ethical violations and managerial wrongdoing. Two sections of the newspaper became flash points: Sports and Food. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
Arash Markazi, was hired in 2018 to engage readers beyond the @latimes base of older and more affluent Angelenos.
In August, he resigned after coming under fire for lifting prose from press releases, his cozy relations with publicists and his posts that extolled businesses.
In August, he resigned after coming under fire for lifting prose from press releases, his cozy relations with publicists and his posts that extolled businesses.
Angel Rodriguez, the former sports editor who hired Markazi also faced criticism for failing to pay for a staff party at Santa Anita racetrack. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
Rodriguez also took part in discussions to increase coverage of PAC-12 sports in coordination with a $100,000 deal put together by the Pac-12 and the paper’s ad-sales department.
He was moved to oversee digital at the Times in 2019 but has since stepped down from the masthead.
He was moved to oversee digital at the Times in 2019 but has since stepped down from the masthead.
Peter Meehan was hired in 2019 to reimagine the paper’s Food coverage. He quickly developed a reputation as a bullying boss and colleague. For tastemakers and execs, Meehan wowed with results, but once he turned to managing below, he could become explosive https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
Meehan resigned from the Times in July after a series of tweets by a New York food writer alleged that he was a tyrannical boss at Lucky Peach and raised questions about his behavior at The Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
According to several members of the Food staff, Meehan had a favored circle. Managing editor Kimi Yoshino, who oversaw them all, along with Deputy Food editor Andrea Chang, sometimes appeared in the social circle too. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
On Instagram in mid-February, Chang posted a birthday photo at Enrique Olvera’s trendy mezcalería Ticuchi, in the upscale Polanco section of Mexico City. Chang is seated next to her boss Meehan, and on his other side sits Yoshino and other Food staffers. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
In Aug, Exec. Editor Norm Pearlstine announced Chang would be reassigned as an editor in Column One. That incensed Food staff, who viewed it as a plum gig. Pearlstine said the stop was temporary and Chang would be sent back to report in Business.
Yoshino no longer oversees Food.
Yoshino no longer oversees Food.
Pearlstine’s leadership has also been called into question by Times staff for his handling of sexual misconduct allegations of former masthead editor Colin Crawford and treatment of journalists who exposed the failings of managers. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
Pearlstine, under fire, acknowledged mistakes and defended his record. He’s not stepping down but said he hoped to soon accelerate succession planning with the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-09-21/la-times-shaken-by-a-summer-of-turmoil-and-scandals
