LA Times owner’s daughter advocates labeling Israel as an ‘apartheid’ state.
Nika Soon-Shiong Accuses Israel of Committing Genocide
The Los Angeles Times‘s owner’s daughter, who wields significant influence over the paper’s news coverage, boldly denounces Israel as an “apartheid state” and insists that journalists should be allowed to describe it as such in their reporting.
Nika Soon-Shiong, daughter of Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, goes even further by accusing Israel of committing “genocide” and alleging that media figures and politicians who support the Jewish state have been “paid off.”
“It’s not journalistic malpractice to describe the state of Israel as an Apartheid state,” declares Nika Soon-Shiong in a powerful Twitter post. “This is well-established in international law.”
It’s not journalistic malpractice to describe the state of Israel as an Apartheid state. This is well-established in international law. It’s the legal term for unlawful ‘killing, torture, forcible transfer, and denial of basic rights.’ pic.twitter.com/hIoi3FiuSB
— Nika Soon-Shiong 🇵🇸 (@nikasoonshiong) November 1, 2023
Soon-Shiong’s remarks come at a time when the Los Angeles Times has faced criticism for its coverage of Israel. The paper recently removed a column that mentioned Hamas’ acts of sexual violence against women, claiming it lacked substantiation. Additionally, one of the paper’s reporters, Adam Elmahrek, dismissed reports of Hamas beheading babies as “unverified” and “sensational,” accusing journalists who cited such claims of having “blood on their hands.”
The Los Angeles Times has not responded to requests for comment.
Since her father’s acquisition of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, Soon-Shiong has become actively involved in the newspaper’s operations. She has participated in staff meetings and influenced the paper’s coverage of race, leading some insiders to accuse her of interfering with news reporting. The Los Angeles Times has reported that Soon-Shiong has also been involved in high-level management issues.
Soon-Shiong argues that it is accurate for journalists to label Israel an ”apartheid state” and criticizes news outlets for failing to do so. She claims there is “incontrovertible evidence that Israel aims to ‘maintain a system of domination.'”
Furthermore, she asserts that media figures and politicians who support Israel have been compromised by financial incentives.
“This genocide is on livestream. The pundits have been bought. The actors (and confused comedians) have been given the script,” she declares passionately on Twitter. “The politicians have been paid for. The ink on the Lockheed Martin and Accenture contracts is drying.”
Earlier this month, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), a pro-Israel media watchdog group, accused the Los Angeles Times of publishing biased and misleading coverage against Israel. The paper has issued corrections for several articles, including one that falsely claimed Israel controlled the Gaza strip and another that significantly downplayed the number of hostages taken by Hamas.
CAMERA also highlighted that the paper’s managing editor, Sara Yasin, had accused Israel of “genocide.” In response, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Times defended Yasin and reaffirmed the paper’s commitment to delivering news with journalistic rigor, fairness, and compassion.
How can journalistic organizations like the Los Angeles Times ensure their coverage of complex conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fair, accurate, and balanced
Iased” sources. These incidents have led to accusations of anti-Israel bias within the newspaper.
The accusations made by Nika Soon-Shiong against Israel and those who support it are not only inflammatory but also baseless. Accusing a democratic state of committing genocide is a serious allegation that requires substantial evidence. However, Soon-Shiong provides no concrete evidence to support her claim. It is irresponsible and detrimental to the journalistic integrity of the Los Angeles Times to make such profound accusations without proper substantiation.
Furthermore, by asserting that media figures and politicians who support Israel have been “paid off,” Soon-Shiong undermines the credibility of those who hold a different viewpoint. It is essential to engage in constructive dialogue and respect differing opinions, rather than resorting to baseless accusations.
It is important to note that the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex, with deep historical and political roots. While there are legitimate concerns and criticisms to be addressed, labeling Israel as an apartheid state and accusing it of genocide oversimplifies the situation and fails to acknowledge the complexities involved.
Journalistic ethics require balanced and fair reporting. While journalists are entitled to express their opinions, it is crucial to separate personal beliefs from professional reporting. The role of a journalist is to present unbiased information to allow readers to form their own opinions.
The Los Angeles Times has a responsibility to ensure its coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fair, accurate, and balanced. It should provide a platform for diverse perspectives and engage in rigorous fact-checking to avoid the spread of misinformation or unsubstantiated claims.
Nika Soon-Shiong’s accusations not only jeopardize the credibility of the Los Angeles Times, but they also undermine the pursuit of honest and objective journalism. Journalistic organizations must strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and avoid promoting biases or unfounded claims.
In conclusion, the accusations made by Nika Soon-Shiong against Israel and those who support it lack substantiation and contribute to a polarized narrative. It is essential for journalists to adhere to the principles of fairness, accuracy, and balance to provide informative and unbiased reporting. The Los Angeles Times must ensure its coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is thorough, objective, and respectful of diverse perspectives.
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