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.