Here’s something you don’t see every day: a billionaire media mogul admitting that his newspaper has a problem with bias. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, went on Fox News, of all places, to make his case. Yes, the same LA Times that has long been a mouthpiece for the progressive agenda is suddenly talking about balance and fairness in reporting. It’s like hearing a vegan confess they secretly love cheeseburgers. Naturally, people are skeptical.
Soon-Shiong didn’t hold back, criticizing the media for “conflating news and opinion” and vowing to steer his paper toward a more balanced approach. Admirable words, sure, but words are cheap. The question is whether a paper as entrenched in left-leaning ideology as the LA Times can actually change its stripes. After all, this is the same publication that has spent years framing conservatives as the villains in every story, treating anything remotely pro-Trump as an existential threat to democracy. To hear them talk about balance now is, well, rich.
The problem isn’t just the LA Times—it’s the entire media landscape. For decades, major outlets have operated under the guise of neutrality while pushing a progressive agenda. They don’t just report the news; they curate it, spinning narratives that align with their worldview and conveniently omitting facts that don’t. And let’s not even get started on their opinion sections, which are often indistinguishable from the front page. To pretend otherwise is to insult the intelligence of every reader.
Soon-Shiong’s remarks highlight a glaring truth that conservatives have known for years: the media doesn’t just have a bias; it has an agenda. This isn’t about a few rogue journalists inserting their opinions into the story. It’s about a systemic issue where entire newsrooms operate as echo chambers, reinforcing progressive orthodoxy and shutting out dissenting voices. And the LA Times has been one of the worst offenders. From its relentless cheerleading for every left-wing policy to its hand-wringing editorials about the “dangers” of conservatism, the paper has made its bias clear. So, forgive us if we’re not ready to believe that balance is suddenly a priority.
Of course, there’s a deeper irony here. Soon-Shiong chose to make his case on Fox News—a network that the LA Times and its ideological allies have spent years vilifying. This is the same Fox News that the Left blames for every cultural divide, the same network they’ve tried to de-platform and silence. Yet, when it’s time to reach an audience that doesn’t already agree with him, where does Soon-Shiong go? Straight to Tucker Carlson’s former stomping grounds. It’s almost like he knows that conservatives are the ones who value honest debate.
But let’s not get too carried away. For all his talk of balance, Soon-Shiong still owns a paper staffed by people who think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the voice of a generation. The LA Times editorial board isn’t exactly brimming with conservatives itching to give a fair shake to ideas like free markets or border security. Changing the culture of a newsroom like that isn’t just difficult—it’s borderline impossible. It’s like trying to turn a cruise ship around with a paddle.
And let’s not ignore the timing. Soon-Shiong’s call for balance comes at a moment when trust in the media is at an all-time low. Coincidence? Probably not. He’s a businessman, after all, and the writing is on the wall. The American public is tired of being talked down to by journalists who act more like activists than reporters. If Soon-Shiong can position the LA Times as a voice of reason in a sea of partisanship, he stands to gain both credibility and readers. The question is whether he’s sincere or just playing a long game to salvage his brand.
At the end of the day, conservatives should welcome any attempt to restore balance to journalism, even if it comes from an unlikely source. But let’s not be naïve. Until we see real changes in how the LA Times reports the news—changes that go beyond words on Fox News—Soon-Shiong’s pledge is just another headline. And as conservatives know all too well, headlines are easy; honest reporting is hard. Let’s see if the LA Times is up for the challenge. My guess? Don’t hold your breath.