One of Trump’s best defenders has landed a new gig and it signals a dramatic shift in how newspapers plan to report on politics. Scott Jennings, a prominent conservative political commentator, has joined The Los Angeles Times editorial board as part of the paper’s sweeping reorganization. Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush and longtime CNN contributor, announced his appointment via social media on Friday.
It’s true – I’ve accepted @DrPatSoonShiong invitation to join the editorial board of the @latimes. I’ve written columns for the paper over the last few years and was honored to do so under such a storied and important masthead. I love newspapers and believe in strong journalism… https://t.co/GrMa44T6en
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) November 29, 2024
Jennings has contributed columns to the newspaper since 2019, and his elevation to the editorial board reflects the paper’s ongoing efforts to redefine its approach to opinion journalism, writes The Hill.
Jennings’s announcement comes as Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong said he was looking to balance opinion pieces in the publication through new recruits, like popular conservative voices. This followed the publication’s controversial decision not to endorse a candidate in this year’s presidential election.
Soon-Shiong had suggested that having someone like Scott Jennings on the board would be beneficial.
“I think it’s important for us to differentiate the editorial board is responsible for these opinions on these voices. So, right now, we don’t have an editorial board if we are truly honest about ourselves that are balanced. And so, I’ve gotten beaten up about fair and balance,” Soon-Shion said in October.
“So, I’m looking for people like Scott Jennings,” Soon-Shiong added.
Earlier in the week, Soon-Shiong hinted at Jennings’ new role, praising his contributions and underscoring the importance of ideological balance on the editorial board. “Scott’s appointment is a step toward creating a board that truly represents varied perspectives,” Soon-Shiong wrote in a social media post.
The changes are part of Soon-Shiong’s broader effort to redefine The Los Angeles Times’ editorial identity. Speaking on Fox News, he explained the rationale behind the initiative: “News must present the facts, pure and simple. Opinions, on the other hand, are voices—interpretations of the facts—and those voices should reflect a spectrum of viewpoints. Our goal is to ensure both news and opinion are clearly delineated and equally respected.”
This renewed emphasis on journalistic neutrality was further underscored by the Times’ unprecedented decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 election, a move that marks a significant departure from its tradition since 2008 and caused consternation from Democrats, who believed themselves entitled to political endorsements despite how bad their candidates appear to be.
Overhaul the whole LA Times A-Z & allied papers