United States: LA Times Owner Prevents Editorial Board from Endorsing Kamala Harris, Leading to Editorial Editor Maria Garza's Resignation
October 23, 2024 - United States, California, Los Angeles
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the recent actions of Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, who blocked the editorial board's plans to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, leading to the resignation of editorial editor Maria Garza. This interference is a serious breach of journalistic integrity and undermines the crucial principle of editorial independence within a respected news organization.
Garza's resignation underscores a critical point in our latest report on the United States: it’s not a matter of partisanship to support a candidate when the alternative threatens to crush the free press and democracy itself.
As our in-depth report shows, under a second Trump presidency, journalists will face unprecedented suppression, and press freedom will be dismantled. Journalists have a duty to stand up now — not just for their rights, but for the survival of an independent press and democracy. Garza’s courageous stand is a direct reflection of this responsibility.
Women Press Freedom firmly opposes censorship and the deterioration of press freedom. We urge media owners and leaders to honor the autonomy of their editorial teams and create an environment where diverse perspectives can be expressed without fear of retribution. The press must remain a steadfast defender of democracy, and any attempt to suppress that voice is an affront to our collective rights.
WPF is deeply concerned about the disappearance of British journalist Charlotte Peet. The freelance correspondent, who has reported for Al Jazeera and The Times, went missing after arriving in São Paulo.
WPF denounces police officers for unjust detentions of journalists and excessive use of force. We demand accountability from authorities.
Kutaisi City Court fines 8 journalists— including Kutaisi Pos' Eka Kukhalashvili, — for protesting outside a judge’s house.
Special operations police violently detain JIN News journalist Öznur Değer after raiding her family home in Kızıltepe, Mardin.
Jahangir has been targeted for her show discussing fake blasphemy accusations used to blackmail people.
Investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Neovlivní, Sabina Slonková, and her family placed under police protection due to serious threats.
WPF condemns assault on journalist. Demands police take action.
WPF strongly condemns the politically motivated sentencing of journalists Chadha Hadj Mbarek (5 years) and Chahrazad Akacha (27 years in absentia).
WPF strongly condemns the detention of journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi. The latest in the alarming state crackdown on independent media in the country.
On January 30, 2025, police detained Telex journalists Noémi Gombos and Dániel Simor for attempting to question PM Viktor Orbán.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the detention of Halk TV journalist Seda Selek.
Journalist and Siirt Municipality Co-Mayor Sofya Alağaş has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
Five police officers detained Exitosa Noticias's Fátima Constantino while she was reporting on traffic chaos in Chiclayo.
WPF strongly denounces the deportation of the award-winning journalist. Demands answers from Maltese authorities.
WPF denounces the Delhi court’s order for police to officially investigate Washington Post journalist Rana Ayyub, potentially leading to further legal action against her.
Gisella Bayona is facing identity theft—imposters solicit money & contacts in her name. Bayona reported the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but no action has been taken.
Medya Haber journalist Eylem Babayiğit detained after a raid on her home in Istanbul.
WPF demands the immediate release of ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür, detained during widespread police raids this morning.
Police detain 6 Kurdish journalists following raids. Three women journalists Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Van), Rahime Karvar and Necla Demir were later arrested on terror-related charges.
WPF celebrates the release of Palestinian journalists Bushra Al-Taweel and Rula Hassanein as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal.
Palestinian Authority security forces detain Al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson while reporting live outside Israel’s Ofer prison.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision of Paris' anti-terrorism judges not to indict Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux.
Ministry of Internal Affairs issue an arrest warrant for exiled journalist Alesya Marokhovskaya, chief editor of the independent investigative outlet IStories
Russian drone targets journalist Margarita Potapova and her Ukrainian Witness film crew near Zaporizhzhia.
Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali has been banned from travel after police interrogation over the MeydanTV case—despite having no ties to the outlet.
WPF strongly condemns the legal harassment of journalist Anna Nini and Press Project publisher Konstantinos Poulis for their coverage of a high-profile trial in Greece.
Israeli airstrike kills journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed while she was walking to Al Shifa Hospital on January 14, 2025.
Police in Mersin beat and obstruct Fatoş Sarıkaya from filming, throwing her press card to the ground.
Mzia Amaghlobeli was detained twice in Batumi—first for posting a strike sticker, then during a protest. She’s now accused of assaulting a police chief, a charge carrying 4-7 years imprisonment
Four men, claiming to be police, abducted the journalist, restrained her, seized her phones, and demanded access to her accounts. She was held for four hours before being released.
