There's no way to sugarcoat this: The Los Angeles Times pages you've read recently were written under some of the most difficult circumstances we've faced in our careers. The free press, a pillar of democracy protected by its name from government overreach under the First Amendment, faces a crisis of economic sustainability.
This week, more than 100 Times newsroom employees were laid off, the latest in a series of deep cuts in the news industry. In response, readers have expressed concern about the future of this newspaper and their appreciation for the work and dedication of Times journalists; Praise that, from my point of view as a colleague, is especially justified for the departing reporters, editors, photographers and other newsroom employees.
Unfortunately, and this comes with the territory of being in the media, some of the responses we received celebrated the layoffs. Of course, this is not representative of all the critical letters sent to us: several writers made serious suggestions for expanding our readership.
However, what stands out most is readers' expression of respect and appreciation for the work we do as journalists. In return, I think I can speak for my colleagues when I say this: Thank you for reading.
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To the editor: I am very saddened to read about the need to lay off reporters and other staff at the LA Times so the newspaper can balance its budget. I understand the problems on both sides of the issue.
However, it seems that the best solution is to get our elected representatives to ask for refunds for printing newspapers from online platforms that are in fact plundering the content that newspapers like The Times provide to them.
I think Times readers and followers should contact their local politicians immediately.
Judith Ross, Long Beach
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To the editor: I love you and I support the Times. I will remain a full subscriber and I love what Kevin Merida did during his few years as executive editor before he recently departed.
I am concerned about classical journalism and the free press as we move into the future, as I am sure you all are.
Last year I attended an event that really highlighted the importance of the press. At a roundtable with the International Women of Courage Award recipients, at least half of them praised the international free press and said they could not have achieved what they did without journalism.
Thank you all for what you do.
Jessica Lawson, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The Times' owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, has spent much of his money to save the newspaper.
Thank you, Dr. Soon-Shiong!
Cynthia Moussas, South Pasadena
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To the editor: I was a loyal Times subscriber to the print edition since the early 1990s, but last year I switched to the digital edition. I no longer read most of the newspaper because it has become more of a local social magazine than an international newspaper.
Go back to the old format, with real news (including more international news) rather than local articles that are too long. It's trying to attract younger people who don't read newspapers and it's not working.
Catherine Babington-Plake, Long Beach
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To the editor: Thank you to the journalists who continue to write in this difficult time at The Times. It has truly been a pleasure to read and observe the various writers who have arrived. They are a new generation of writers who showed us a completely different side of Los Angeles.
It's been fun to watch the young Orange County Daily Pilot writers advance and read Gustavo Arellano's columns that integrate his culture and roots in Orange County with a regional and national perspective.
Laura Curran, Newport Beach
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To the editor: Most of its readers expect and recognize the political leanings of the Times. Not being objective has made many move on. It's unfortunate.
Dave McEnany, Palm Springs
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To the editor: Readers look for news in a newspaper, not opinions or long-form journalism. Much of the Times is filled with columnists sharing their opinions or experiences, along with stories that are too long to be considered news.
Both readers and the Times itself would be better off with more, shorter news articles (with less built-in bias), more reporters (rather than columnists), and far fewer long-form stories.
Blaine Cavena, Pasadena
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To the editor: We all wish the newspaper the best, since our city without a newspaper is unthinkable. We're glad it found an interim executive editor in Terry Tang, but her association with the Opinion section is worrying.
For politically middle-of-the-road or neutral readers, and there are many, the Opinion section can be alienating and has often led us to consider canceling our subscription.
In theory, The Times is a community newspaper, but between its narrow editorial polemics and its inexplicable self-loathing rants, like the recent article asking if Los Angeles is going to hell, it may need to find different ways to connect with their readers.
David Impastato, Los Angeles
