The Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times
Name	The Los Angeles Times
Type	Daily newspaper
Foundation	04 December 1881
Founders	Nathan Cole Jr., Thomas Gardiner
Headquarters	El Segundo, California
Owner	Patrick Soon-Shiong
Publisher	Patrick Soon-Shiong
Editor	Kevin Merida

The Los Angeles Times. Founded in 1881, it is the largest newspaper in the state of California and one of the most influential media outlets in the United States. Throughout its history, it has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the American West, winning numerous Pulitzer Prizes for its journalism. Owned by billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong since 2018, it maintains major news bureaus in Washington, D.C., and operates the Los Angeles Times Studios for film and television production.

History

The newspaper was established by Nathan Cole Jr. and Thomas Gardiner, but its modern identity was forged under the decades-long ownership of the Chandler family, beginning with Harrison Gray Otis and later Harry Chandler. Under their leadership, it aggressively promoted the growth of Southern California, advocating for major infrastructure projects like the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Port of Los Angeles. A pivotal moment came in 1960 with the publication of the "Chinatown" editorial, which criticized the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign. The paper's national prominence grew significantly after being acquired by the Times Mirror Company and later by the Tribune Publishing media conglomerate. A major digital transformation began in the 21st century, culminating in its 2018 sale to Patrick Soon-Shiong, who moved its headquarters from its historic Los Angeles Times Building to El Segundo, California.

Editorial stance and political positions

Historically a staunchly conservative voice, particularly under the Chandler family, it endorsed every Republican presidential candidate from 1884 through 1940. Its editorial page shifted markedly leftward in the 1970s, and it has since generally endorsed Democratic nominees, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. The editorial board has taken strong progressive stances on issues like climate change, immigration reform, and gun control, while also supporting centrist policies on fiscal matters. It frequently publishes investigative series and editorials focused on local governance in Los Angeles, the California State Legislature, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Notable journalists and contributors

The newsroom has been home to many distinguished journalists, including columnists like Steve Lopez and sportswriters such as Bill Plaschke. Investigative reporters like Chuck Philips and the team of Paul Pringle and Matt Hamilton have broken major stories. Notable foreign correspondents have included Megan K. Stack and Tracy Wilkinson. Its roster of Pulitzer Prize winners is extensive, featuring writers like Raymond Coffey, William Tuohy, and Michael Hiltzik. Famed cartoonist Paul Conrad spent decades at the paper, and renowned food critic Jonathan Gold was a defining cultural voice. Former editors include John S. Carroll and Dean Baquet, who later became executive editor of The New York Times.

Operations and ownership

The primary printing plant is located in the Ontario, California area, and it operates a major digital news division. Its parent company is California Times, owned by Patrick Soon-Shiong through his investment firm Nant Capital. Key divisions include the Los Angeles Times Studios for video content and the Los Angeles Times en Español for Spanish-language news. It maintains a significant Washington bureau covering the United States Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. The paper has undergone several rounds of newsroom buyouts and layoffs, common across the Tribune Publishing chain and the wider American newspaper industry.

Awards and recognition

It has won over 45 Pulitzer Prizes across categories, including for Public Service, Investigative Reporting, and Feature Photography. Notable Pulitzer-winning work includes coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, an investigation into corruption at the University of Southern California, and a series on the Walton Family and their corporate empire. Its photographers have received multiple awards from the World Press Photo contest. The paper's food section, led by the late Jonathan Gold, earned a unique cultural following, and its coverage of Southern California wildfires has been consistently honored by the American Society of News Editors.

Controversies and criticism

The paper faced significant scandal in the late 1990s with the Staples Center scandal, where a profit-sharing arrangement for a special magazine issue was not disclosed to readers or staff. It was heavily criticized for its coverage of the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election, with accusations of bias from both major political parties. Internal turmoil has included highly publicized disputes between ownership and the newsroom, leading to the unionization of journalists under the NewsGuild-CWA. Its historical role in promoting the growth of Los Angeles has been re-examined for its impact on communities like those in the San Fernando Valley and its stance on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Category:Newspapers published in California Category:Publications established in 1881