As we reported in October, the months since Soon-Shiong’s decision not to approve may not have been fruitful for the LA Times from a business standpoint. . But they raised Soon-Shiong’s profile as an actor in national media and California politics.
Soon-Shiong’s purchase of the LA Times in 2018 was what first put him on the radar of media and politicians nationally. For several years, Soon-Shiong largely stayed out of the spotlight, informing the paper’s leadership and staff but rarely commenting publicly on media issues. But in recent weeks, Pharma executives have used it as a way to draw attention to his political views.
In addition to defending X and courting celebrities like Schneider and Hines, he publicly criticized Mayor Karen Bass, saying he regretted supporting her paper in the 2023 mayoral race. He has repeatedly appeared on centrist and right-leaning media outlets, including NewsNation, a podcast hosted by former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, and Fox News (which introduced him as the owner of the LA Times). He criticizes the California Democratic Party and shares his vision for changing the media.
He shared confusingly different accounts of various events, including how the Gaza war influenced his decision not to support Harris. Some journalists began talking to him by going around the official LA Times communications department and successfully reached him through a spokesperson for his drug company.
How it is positioned in newsrooms and local readers is less clear.
The LA Times newsroom has an uneasy relationship with its current owner dating back to when he bought the paper. The move was heralded as courageous at the time. The paper suffered a series of short-lived owners who threatened to threaten it like other area newspapers. Some staff at the point were friendly with Soon-Shiong’s daughter, Nika Soon-Shiong. However, employees were dissatisfied with the way the non-recruitment process was conducted and the cancellations by readers. The Times employee union also released a statement last year criticizing Soon-Shiong’s suggestion that the paper’s journalists were biased.
However, the current crisis in Los Angeles has created a momentary truce with the owners.
The recent wildfires have reinvigorated the paper for editorial purposes, creating a staff and readership of prominent scoops and gatherings. It also delivered strong financial results. As previously noted by Semafor, the Times said its staff’s online web traffic increased by 800% between January and December. According to the memo, 4,140 readers subscribed in the immediate aftermath of the devastating wildfires, even though The Times said it had freed up most fire-related stories, but it had to account for some of the subscriber losses. It helped make up for it.
