As a former editorial writer at the Times who quit shortly after the non-endorsement decision, I happened to read Josh's spiked editorial (before it was murdered, as he says). It was absolutely top-notch, elegantly written and firmly backed up with facts, for all of Soon-Shiong's dishonest patter about previous editorials weren't backed byfact but now would be. Meanwhile, there is no editorial board at the Los Angeles Times. Well, Soon-Shiong and his top editor Terry Tang. They don't seem to be writing much -- well, actually, nothing. Which is all to the better.
I wish I had a subscription to the LA Times so I could cancel it. I'm looking forward to following your reports. Thank you for standing for integrity. I hope the Times loses so many readers that the owner has to sell it cheap to someone with more newspaper know-how and integrity.
Welcome to Substack, where you will be free to write whatever you wish. It seriously hurts my soul to know such an esteemed news-paper is effectively circling the drain. I used to really enjoy my mornings flipping through the pages of the LA Times.
Thank you for standing up for ethics in journalism. We live in a time when more and more people are selling out our democracy, to curry favor with Trump and his fascist government. It is heartening to see people like you holding the line to help save our democracy.
I hope you will keep writing because it is a shame to waste the gift you have. I have to hope that there are enough of us to stop this madness in our country and return to better times before it is impossible to remember them. I miss the days when I didn't have to monitor the news to found out what crazy thing our President has done today that will ruin our lives. Keep the faith and help our country by writing the truth about what's happening and what we can do.
Thank you for writing this, a friend of mine, a truth teller from way back recommended this read. We all need to stand up and say enough is enough! I predict you will have success I the future because of the stand you are taking now!
Deep respect for acting on your principles and commitment to journalistic ethics. Disgusted by these corporate hijackings of our country's Fourth Estate. Best wishes and welcome to Substack,
Painful, painful for me to have seen the degradation of a once splendid and respected newspaper, where I got my start in journalism, actually. During the time of Otis Chandler, who turned a staunch Republican supporting publication into one with breadth and depth of opinion, I was beyond fortunate to be hired as a copy boy, later a news clerk in the sports department. This was a sort of divine intervention as I changed by pre-law major to journalism, a redirection of my life. Lightning struck again when I was hired by Associated Press in Los Angeles and spent a decade with what was then the world's finest news service. The only sort of pleasure I can take now is in the fact that I cancelled my LA Times subscription after the endorsement fiasco but that’s not the sort of satisfaction I can really enjoy. Good piece, Josh, and good luck.
Wonderful column. My long time LA Times subscription just got cancelled. It’s the least I can do. Really looking forward to your future contributions to Substack.
@Josh Gohlke documents the fall of what has been, for most of my life, the best source of news and commentary on California politics. I loved my San Francisco Chomicle, and even what Herb Caen called the Brand-Ex Paper. But my first love was the Sacramento Bee.
For political coverage at a higher-than-local coverage, there was no substitute for the LA Times. It will be missed.
Thanks to Josh and his colleagues, and those who came before them.
Happily this is California, and there is work to do. Come visit the Northern Sierra, and discover the magic of the partnership growing in the times of crisis between our small towns of the forests and our great neighbors Down Below including Even Further Down Below, home of the Times.
Thank you for this beautifully written piece and I applaud your move, fraught as I'm sure it will be. I found you through Harry Litman's Talking Feds Substack. My late father was a journalist and later editor at the SF Chronicle from the mid-1960's through the late 1980's and, in fact, hired Randy Shilts at the Chron in 1981 -- a truly pioneering move at the time. My dad grew up in LA and went to USC on a journalism scholarship, later getting his MA at UCLA. He also taught journalism at Mills College in Oakland, CA. All of that TMI by way of saying that he would be absolutely appalled at the cowardice of today's mainstream media. I look forward to following your new venture...all we can do is carry on with integrity.
As a former editorial writer at the Times who quit shortly after the non-endorsement decision, I happened to read Josh's spiked editorial (before it was murdered, as he says). It was absolutely top-notch, elegantly written and firmly backed up with facts, for all of Soon-Shiong's dishonest patter about previous editorials weren't backed byfact but now would be. Meanwhile, there is no editorial board at the Los Angeles Times. Well, Soon-Shiong and his top editor Terry Tang. They don't seem to be writing much -- well, actually, nothing. Which is all to the better.
Thank you, Karin!
Josh, would you consider posting your spiked editorial here?
Thanks for asking, Pat, but I’m afraid (a) I didn’t save a copy and (b) it would be woefully dated at this point!
Thank you for standing up for your principles and the ethics of journalism!
This just about sums things up. Thanks for writing this, Josh, and take care. You were / are a fantastic editor.
Thanks, Paul, deeply appreciated!
I wish I had a subscription to the LA Times so I could cancel it. I'm looking forward to following your reports. Thank you for standing for integrity. I hope the Times loses so many readers that the owner has to sell it cheap to someone with more newspaper know-how and integrity.
Welcome to Substack, where you will be free to write whatever you wish. It seriously hurts my soul to know such an esteemed news-paper is effectively circling the drain. I used to really enjoy my mornings flipping through the pages of the LA Times.
Really engaging and well-written, Josh — can’t wait to read more!
Thanks very much!
Well done! More writing, please!
Thanks so much, Jack!
Thank you for standing up for ethics in journalism. We live in a time when more and more people are selling out our democracy, to curry favor with Trump and his fascist government. It is heartening to see people like you holding the line to help save our democracy.
Josh,
I hope you will keep writing because it is a shame to waste the gift you have. I have to hope that there are enough of us to stop this madness in our country and return to better times before it is impossible to remember them. I miss the days when I didn't have to monitor the news to found out what crazy thing our President has done today that will ruin our lives. Keep the faith and help our country by writing the truth about what's happening and what we can do.
Good for you! Glad to subscribe to an honest journalist’s Substack! I look forward to more of your insights.
Thank you for writing this, a friend of mine, a truth teller from way back recommended this read. We all need to stand up and say enough is enough! I predict you will have success I the future because of the stand you are taking now!
Josh,
Deep respect for acting on your principles and commitment to journalistic ethics. Disgusted by these corporate hijackings of our country's Fourth Estate. Best wishes and welcome to Substack,
Painful, painful for me to have seen the degradation of a once splendid and respected newspaper, where I got my start in journalism, actually. During the time of Otis Chandler, who turned a staunch Republican supporting publication into one with breadth and depth of opinion, I was beyond fortunate to be hired as a copy boy, later a news clerk in the sports department. This was a sort of divine intervention as I changed by pre-law major to journalism, a redirection of my life. Lightning struck again when I was hired by Associated Press in Los Angeles and spent a decade with what was then the world's finest news service. The only sort of pleasure I can take now is in the fact that I cancelled my LA Times subscription after the endorsement fiasco but that’s not the sort of satisfaction I can really enjoy. Good piece, Josh, and good luck.
Thanks very much, Michael.
Wonderful column. My long time LA Times subscription just got cancelled. It’s the least I can do. Really looking forward to your future contributions to Substack.
Thanks so much, Dan!
@Josh Gohlke documents the fall of what has been, for most of my life, the best source of news and commentary on California politics. I loved my San Francisco Chomicle, and even what Herb Caen called the Brand-Ex Paper. But my first love was the Sacramento Bee.
For political coverage at a higher-than-local coverage, there was no substitute for the LA Times. It will be missed.
Thanks to Josh and his colleagues, and those who came before them.
Happily this is California, and there is work to do. Come visit the Northern Sierra, and discover the magic of the partnership growing in the times of crisis between our small towns of the forests and our great neighbors Down Below including Even Further Down Below, home of the Times.
Thank you for this beautifully written piece and I applaud your move, fraught as I'm sure it will be. I found you through Harry Litman's Talking Feds Substack. My late father was a journalist and later editor at the SF Chronicle from the mid-1960's through the late 1980's and, in fact, hired Randy Shilts at the Chron in 1981 -- a truly pioneering move at the time. My dad grew up in LA and went to USC on a journalism scholarship, later getting his MA at UCLA. He also taught journalism at Mills College in Oakland, CA. All of that TMI by way of saying that he would be absolutely appalled at the cowardice of today's mainstream media. I look forward to following your new venture...all we can do is carry on with integrity.
Thanks so much, Kyra! I’m also a Chron alum.