Demand this unjust practice be stopped.

John, demand The Los Angeles Times drop its paywall.

Coronavirus information should be available to everyone.

Take Action

Dear John.

The Los Angeles Times is withholding life-saving COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) information behind a subscription paywall and this unjust practice must be stopped. Yesterday, a Los Angeles Times headline read “Gov. Gavin Newsom orders all Californians to stay at home,” yet only paying members can access this article because it is hidden behind a subscription paywall.1 

In the face of this deadly public health threat which the World Health Organization has designated a pandemic,2 major news publications are stepping up to allow full access to critical public health reporting on Coronavirus without paywall blocks, yet The Los Angeles Times is one of the few outlets refusing to drop its paywall. Even after over 40 million people have been ordered to stay home because of this virus.3

John, Black people already disproportionately suffer from chronic illnesses,4 making those over the age of 60 even more susceptible to Coronavirus infection.5 The Los Angeles Times is making Black, low-income, and marginalized communities susceptible to misinformation and potential bodily harm, while hindering coordinated efforts to inform, quarantine, and eradicate this virus, by not making valuable public health information accessible. 

SIGN THE PETITION: Demand The Los Angeles Times drops its subscription paywall to allow all readers access to comprehensive Coronavirus news coverage. 

The Los Angeles Times has the fourth-largest circulation among U.S. newspapers, and is the largest U.S. newspaper not headquartered on the East Coast.6 John, the state of California has more residents than any other state,7 and as cases of Coronavirus spread, along with misinformation about this virus, access to complete and comprehensive reporting can have critical influence on the health of individuals and communities. 

The Los Angeles Times withholding of vital Coronavirus reporting is a systemic manipulation of information that can do mass harm to the Black community as many of our people are already uninsured. Creatives and hourly wage employees who are now facing job loss, over the age of 60 with chronic illnesses - compounded with the many ways Black people and communities are already systematically disadvantaged both in quality in life and access to healthcare, without the threat of Coronavirus.

John, information is a vital tool for preventing wide-spread infection that can negatively affect, not only our communities but the nation as a whole. News outlets must see the responsibility of being a public service and provide comprehensive public education about the illness, how it spreads, and best safety practices - along with communicating the harms and threats of this virus to the communities they claim to serve. 

SIGN THE PETITION: Demand The Los Angeles Times drops its subscription paywall to allow all readers access to comprehensive Coronavirus news coverage. 

Black people already face extensive barriers in accessing justice, economic, and health related equality in this country. Access to accurate and comprehensive Coronavirus information is critical in countering negative perceptions against vital information provided by non-Black institutions and medical distrust that could lead to the spread of harmful misinformation or lack of treatment, putting many people amongst our family and friends in direct harm of contracting this virus.8,9,10

This unique crisis has illuminated the varying ways in which socio-economic barriers have always affected the health and quality of life of those who are underprivileged, underpaid, and underrepresented. According to a recent NPR/Marist Poll, 18% of households report someone being laid off or having a reduction in hours due to the Coronavirus outbreak.11 Black people, specifically Black women, disproportionately make up the retail market work force that is fighting for continued pay as stores close.12

As cases of Coronavirus continue to spread and Coronavirus layoffs surge, news outlets have a responsibility to be public servants and to communicate harms and threats to the communities they claim to serve, whether or not they can pay. John, potentially life-saving Coronavirus information should be available to everyone.

SIGN THE PETITION: Demand The Los Angeles Times drops its subscription paywall to allow all readers access to comprehensive Coronavirus news coverage. 

Until justice is real,

--Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Evan, Johnny, Jade, Future, Eesha, Samantha, Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Cierra and the rest of the Color Of Change team

References:

  1. "Gov. Gavin Newsom Orders All Californians To Stay At Home,” The Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242445?t=11&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh
  2. “Coronavirus: COVID-19 Is Now Officially A Pandemic, WHO Says,” NPR, March 11, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242346?t=13&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  3. “All Californians, Nearly 40 Million People, Have Been Ordered To Stay Home To Stop The Spread Of The Coronavirus,” Buzzfeed, March 19, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242446?t=15&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  4. “Profile: Black/African Americans,” U.S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, August 22, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242347?t=17&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  5. “Public Health Expert Says African Americans Are At Greater Risk Of Death From Coronavirus,” The Undefeated, March 13, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242348?t=19&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  6. “Los Angeles Times, Searching for Stability, Names Norman Pearlstine Top Editor,” The New York Times, June 18, 2018, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242349?t=21&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  7.  “California’s Population,” Public Policy Institute of California, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242350?t=23&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  8. “Don’t Believe The Myth That Black People Can’t Get Coronavirus,” The Philadelphia Inquirer,  March 11, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242351?t=25&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh
  9. “Yes, Black People CAN Get Coronavirus (+ other myths/truths),” YouTube-Dr. Jen Caudle, March 8, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242352?t=27&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  10. “For Urban Poor, the Coronavirus Complicates Existing Health Risks,” The New York Times, March 7, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242353?t=29&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  11. “Coronavirus Layoffs Surge Across America, Overwhelming Unemployment Offices,” Politico, March 17, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/242354?t=31&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.
  12. “Private equity’s role in retail has killed 1.3 million jobs, study says,” The Washington Post, July 24, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/155224?t=33&akid=41687%2E4731121%2E74VeEh.

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