Latino Journalism Association Issues Statement on LA Times Layoffs

 

CCNMA Latino Journalists of California has condemned the announcement by the Los Angeles Times that it plans to lay off about 13% of its newsroom staff.

This action disproportionately affects Latino journalists and other journalists of color who have performed essential duties at the news organization, said a statement. It added: Based on preliminary figures released by the LA Times Guild, 15 Latino staff members have been informed that their jobs are being eliminated. That equates to 26% of the 57 guild journalists targeted in the layoffs. Another 21%, or 12 positions, are Asian American staffers, and 3 Black journalists, or 5% of the overall number, are among those losing their jobs. And at least two Muslim women have received layoff notices. 

This is especially distressing for a news organization in which Latino and other journalists of color are vastly underrepresented. Guild represented journalists who are Latino currently account for about 21% of the newsroom in a region where at least half the residents are Latino.

Equally troubling is the fact that the proposed layoffs will decimate areas that are vital for a quality news operation, such as the copy desk, homepage team and audience engagement teams. There seems to be no cohesive strategy in signaling out these positions.

We write this letter with a heavy heart. Among CCNMA’s founding members were trailblazing Los Angeles Times journalists such as Frank Sotomayor, Frank del Olmo and Joe Nevarez. This action tarnishes their legacy.

In a 2020 letter to the LA Times Latino Caucus, Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong promised that the organization would “endeavor to increase representation of Latino and other BIPOC journalists.” He also vowed to create a newsroom in which Latinos are 25% of the staff by 2025. 

We call on Executive Editor Kevin Merida and his leadership team to rethink this proposal and work with the newsroom to develop business and editorial plans that ensure the viability of the Los Angeles Times for years to come. - Mekahlo Medina, CCNMA Executive Director. - Ethnic Media Services