Activists Protest LA Times Takeover Rumors by Kochs

A spokesperson for the Kochs has dismissed the talk as rumors...

(LOS ANGELES) - Rumors are swirling that the Koch Brothers may be making moves to purchase the LA Times and that possibility has progressive activists concerned about the editorial future of the paper. Last week protests were held outside of the LA headquarters of Tribune’s largest shareholder, Oaktree Capital Management. Glen Arnodo is staff director with LA County Labor Federation:

[Arnodo]: If you believe that a city needs a newspaper that has some basic journalistic standards and that’s essential toward democracy than everyone should care if the Koch brothers want to own a paper in their town.

In recent years the Koch Brothers have become the face of the conservatism in the United States with their active role in backing conservative causes and funding of American for Prosperity. As the owners of energy conglomerate Koch Industries the brothers have produced studies intended to debunk climate change.

[Arnodo2]: One of their studies concluded that smog protects you from skin cancer and out speaker said ‘boy, it would be interesting to see the science coverage in the LA Times if the Koch brothers own the paper.”

A spokesperson for the Kochs has dismissed the talk as rumors, but also asserts that they respect journalistic independence. Arnodo doubts the Kochs would have any reason for purchasing the LA Times for any reason other than promoting their ideology.

[Arnodo3]: We’ve heard it enough times to be concerned and certainly major publications such as the New York Times and others have picked up on it, so… We don’t have any inside knowledge, but when you start seeing it talked about in the business press, even if it is a rumor, you have to be ready for it to happen. We’re not going to wait until it’s too late.

Source: Workers Independent News