In a vivid piece for the Los Angeles Times, talk revolved around the perceived heartlessness of the Trump administration. The article critiqued policies on deportation and reduction in bureaucracy with the assertion that cruelty becomes normalized, affecting everyone in turn. However, the discussion did not end there. The Times has introduced a digital feature for opinion pieces that allows readers to press an “Insights” button. This tool characterizes columns politically, in this instance as “center-left,” and provides a concise overview along with a counterargument generated by artificial intelligence.
One counterpoint highlighted in the feature argues that restricting birthright citizenship and refugee entries is intended to rectify the exploitation of immigration loopholes, which are said to safeguard American workers and assets. This new component signifies the changes in opinion coverage that the Times owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, has implemented over the last half-year. He has expressed a desire for the traditionally liberal opinion pages to embrace varying perspectives. His steps have drawn accusations of trying to endear himself to former President Donald Trump.
The publisher aims to avoid an “echo chamber.” Soon-Shiong, known for his innovations in medicine, acquired the Times in 2018, and blocked the endorsement of Kamala Harris for president the subsequent year. He expressed his goal to reform the editorial board responsible for crafting editorials for the Times. Soon-Shiong mentioned to Fox News that a singular narrative leads to an echo chamber, and he emphasized the importance of hearing all voices despite the backlash.
Out of the six people responsible for the Times editorials, three, including editorials editor Mariel Garza, resigned following the non-endorsement of Harris. The remaining members have also subsequently departed. The last member, Carla Hall, penned a final column about her encounters with homeless individuals before leaving. Soon-Shiong’s decisions ruffled some feathers among subscribers, akin to the response when Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos chose not to endorse a presidential candidate.
Previously, the Times published unsigned editorials reflecting institutional opinions six days a week. Now, with only Soon-Shiong and executive editor Terry Tang on the editorial board, there’s a pause in such publications while new board appointments are awaited. Additionally, Soon-Shiong seeks more conservative or moderate voices in columns. Matt K. Lewis, a self-described Reagan Republican, begins writing columns as part of this initiative, joining figures like CNN commentator Scott Jennings.
The placement of “Insights” has stirred controversy, with comparisons to gimmickry or an affront to the intelligence of both readers and writers. Some perceive categorization via a “bias meter” as a simplistic gesture. A specific instance of contention arose from Gustavo Arellano’s column regarding a past Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim, California. The AI-generated “Insights” suggested reframing historical narratives, leading to backlash for allegedly defending the Klan, though some staff believe the uproar was exaggerated.
The application of “Insights” underscores trends, sometimes with an unemotional AI tone. Paul Thornton, former letters editor, suggests increasing journalist hires for richer opinion coverage. Meanwhile, Margaret Sullivan, a media columnist, contends Soon-Shiong’s motives lean towards favoring Trump, advocating for the discontinuation of the bias meter.
Soon-Shiong dismisses claims of fearing or appeasing Trump, championing the respect for diverse opinions. He suggests this may aid in healing national divides. On the other hand, Lewis, one of the contributors to these op-eds, finds value in the Insights program, offering diverse viewpoints, albeit admitting bemusement over being labeled “center-left” after criticizing Trump. For him, political labels revealed through AI classification transcend simple definitions, suggesting a temporary alignment with such characterizations.