Los Angeles Times News Release

LOS ANGELES TIMES RAMPS UP READER ENGAGEMENT
AND FURTHER ALIGNS NEWSGATHERING

latimes.com Unveils Redesign, Debuts Interactive Readers’ Representative Journal and
Elevates Online Executive Editor and Op-Ed/Sunday Opinion Editor to Masthead

LOS ANGELES, November 27, 2007 – The Los Angeles Times today announced several editorial changes that increase newsroom access to better serve and communicate with readers throughout Southern California.

Anchoring the changes is today’s launch of the “Readers’ Representative Journal,” a new blog (www.latimes.com/readersrep) aimed at bringing the public deeper into the process of how editorial decisions are made. Hosted by readers’ representative Jamie Gold and assistant readers’ representative Kent Zelas, the journal will feature a Q&A-oriented conversation to engage reporters and editors in addressing reader queries and observations. Among the rotating features will be “Ask a Staffer,” a chance to get the story behind the story; “Whatever Happened to…,” where readers can ask for updates on past stories; and grammar critiques. Users will be able to view a staff directory, peruse the L.A. Times ethics guidelines and get answers to frequently asked questions about newsroom practices, as well as outside-the-newsroom operations such as how to buy back copies. The Readers’ Representative Journal will explore virtually anything readers want to know about the editorial operation of the Los Angeles Times, online and in print.

“The ongoing changes reflect The Times overarching goal of becoming a more transparent and integrated news organization,” said Los Angeles Times editor, James O’Shea. “Most important, we’re further opening the lines of communication with our readers and using new ways to make the newsroom more accessible.”

Underscoring this commitment, The Times masthead has expanded to include latimes.com executive editor Meredith Artley as well as Op-Ed and Sunday Opinion editor Nicholas Goldberg.