Journalists of color hit hard by L.A. Times layoffs

The Los Angeles Times, one of the leading newspaper organizations in the country, laid off more than 115 journalists, a gash that impacts several journalists of color.

In a move that jolted the journalism industry Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times, one of the leading newspapers in the country, laid off more than 115 journalists, a gash that affects several journalists of color.

Nearly a quarter of its newsroom staff members were given notice Tuesday that their last days with the company would be in March.

“The company has reneged on its promises to diversify its ranks since young journalists of color have been disproportionately affected,” the Los Angeles Times Guild said in a statement Tuesday. “The Black, AAPI, and Latino Caucuses have suffered devastating losses. Voluntary buyouts could have helped prevent this, but that’s not the path the company chose.”

The team behind De Los, a vertical the Times launched in 2023 to cover the city’s 49% Latino population, was gutted. Jeong Park, who was hired to cover Asian American communities in 2022, was also laid off. 

Kevin Merida, who is Black, resigned this month as a prelude of what was to come. The Times’ owner, billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, said the paper and Merida had “mutually agreed” to part ways, but the announcement was stunning.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/journalists-color-hit-hard-l-layoffs-rcna135351

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