The Los Angeles Times is undergoing a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off about 115 journalists, which constitutes more than 20% of its newsroom. This decision follows a period of financial challenges and changes in leadership.
A statement from the guild criticized the layoffs, saying they were executed in a “brutal and inhumane way.” The process of layoffs was conducted via a webinar, where staff members weren’t allowed to ask questions, per the guild’s statement.
Dispute over Layoff Terms
The guild has accused the Times’ management of pushing for “extreme layoff terms” without sufficient transparency, per information from Deadline.
They stated, “The Times chose long planned mass layoffs via a webinar in which staff members weren’t allowed so much as a question.” The union also claimed that the management attempted to undermine the seniority process, potentially causing division among the staff.
Newsroom Reduced to Less than 400
Following the layoffs, the size of the newsroom has reduced significantly, now comprising fewer than 400 people, Deadline reveals.
The guild mentioned that the “staffing cut is the fruit of years of middling strategy, the absence of a publisher and no clear direction.” Despite a walkout by the guild on Friday, which they claim helped save numerous jobs, the impact of the layoffs is significant.
D.C. Bureau Decimated
Sarah Wire, a reporter at the Washington, D.C. bureau, described the situation as the bureau being “decimated” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She explained, “They haven’t been filling jobs for two years now and that reduced number was cut even more today. There are five reporters left covering DC.”
Layoff Notices and Guild’s Reaction
According to The New York Times, the process of issuing layoff notices started with the guild’s president Matt Pearce announcing in a post on X that 94 guild members were being notified of intended layoffs.
He mentioned, “This total, while devastating, is nonetheless far lower than the total number of Guild layoffs initially expected last week.”
Financial Struggles of The Times
Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, expressed the financial difficulties faced by the paper.
He said in an interview with the LA Times, that the paper was losing $30 million to $40 million a year, and emphasized the necessity of the layoffs, saying, “Today’s decision is painful for all, but it is imperative that we act urgently and take steps to build a sustainable and thriving paper for the next generation.”
Editorial Leadership Changes and Walkout
The New York Times reports that the newsroom has seen recent high-profile departures, including managing editors Sara Yasin and Shani O. Hilton, shortly after executive editor Kevin Merida stepped down.
These changes in the editorial leadership coincided with a walkout staged by the guild last Friday, protesting the anticipated cuts.
Soon-Shiong’s Investment and Challenges
Since acquiring the Los Angeles Times in 2018, Soon-Shiong has invested significantly in the newspaper, yet faced substantial financial losses.
He stated, “It is indeed difficult to reflect upon the recent tumultuous years, during which our business faced significant challenges, including losses that surpassed $100 million in operational and capital expenses,” as reported by The New York Times.
Union’s Efforts and Advice to Members
The union is actively engaging in negotiations to address the layoffs, advising its members to avoid signing any documents hastily.
The New York Times reveals that Sam Dean, a business reporter and member of the union leadership, told colleagues in an email, “Keep in mind that these proposed layoffs are not final, they are proposed and have to be bargained with the Guild.”
Impact on Diversity in the Newsroom
The Guardian reports that the layoffs have notably affected young journalists of color. The Los Angeles Times Guild stated, “Young journalists of color [were] ‘disproportionately affected’, with many Black, Asian American and Latino staffers laid off.”
This contradicts the Soon-Shiong family’s commitment in 2020 to diversity in the paper’s staff.
Staff Criticize Layoff Process
Former staff members of the Los Angeles Times have expressed their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the layoffs were conducted, according to The Guardian.
One ex-news editor described the process in a post on X, saying, “The LA Times laid us off in an HR zoom webinar with chat disabled, no q&a, no chance to ask questions.”
Broader Media Industry Struggles
The layoffs at the Los Angeles Times are part of a larger trend in the media industry, with numerous outlets across the US experiencing similar challenges, per information from NPR.
Soon-Shiong commented on the industry’s struggles, suggesting that lawmakers should do more to support media organizations, similar to policies in Australia and Canada, The Guardian reports. He emphasized the need for initiatives that uphold a “free and robust press, one that is instrumental in upholding our democracy.”
