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Otis Chandler and the Meteoric Rise and Dramatic Fall of the Los Angeles Times Empire

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Otis Chandler, Former Publisher Of The Los Angeles Times Privileged Son: Otis Chandler And The Rise And Fall Of The L A Times Dynasty

Otis Chandler, the enigmatic figure who presided over the Los Angeles Times dynasty for nearly three decades, was a man of contradictions. A brilliant and ambitious leader, he guided the Times to unprecedented heights of success, transforming it into one of the most influential newspapers in the world. Yet, his reign was also marked by controversy and a series of missteps that ultimately led to the decline of the Times empire.

Privileged Son: Otis Chandler And The Rise And Fall Of The L.A. Times Dynasty

by Dennis McDougal

4.4 out of 5

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Early Life and Education

Otis Chandler was born on December 23, 1927, in Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Norman Chandler, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and Dorothy Buffum Chandler, a prominent socialite. Chandler attended Harvard University, where he studied history and literature. After graduating in 1949, he returned to Los Angeles and began working at the Times.

Rise to Power

Chandler quickly rose through the ranks at the Times, becoming publisher in 1960 at the age of 32. Under his leadership, the Times experienced a period of rapid growth and expansion. Chandler invested heavily in investigative journalism, hiring a team of talented reporters who produced groundbreaking stories that won numerous Pulitzer Prizes.

Chandler also expanded the Times' reach beyond Los Angeles, acquiring newspapers in other cities and launching new magazines. He was a strong advocate for freedom of the press and played a key role in the Times' coverage of the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Controversies

Despite his many accomplishments, Chandler's reign was also marked by a number of controversies. In 1971, the Times published the Pentagon Papers, a leaked study of the Vietnam War that was highly critical of the U.S. government. The publication of the Pentagon Papers led to a lengthy legal battle and strained relations between the Times and the Nixon administration.

Chandler was also criticized for his handling of the Times' coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Some critics accused the Times of being too sympathetic to the rioters and not ng enough to condemn the violence.

Decline of the Times

The 1990s and early 2000s were a difficult period for the Times. The newspaper industry was facing increasing competition from television and the internet. Chandler's decision to invest heavily in new technology, such as the Times Mirror Cable network, proved to be a costly mistake.

In 2000, Chandler sold the Times to the Tribune Company. The sale marked the end of the Chandler family's 80-year ownership of the newspaper. Under the Tribune Company's ownership, the Times continued to decline, losing readers and advertising revenue.

Legacy

Otis Chandler was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant journalist and a passionate advocate for freedom of the press. However, he also made some mistakes that contributed to the decline of the Times empire.

Despite the challenges he faced, Chandler left a lasting legacy on the media landscape. He helped to transform the Los Angeles Times into one of the most influential newspapers in the world. He also played a key role in the development of investigative journalism and the fight for freedom of the press.

Otis Chandler was a larger-than-life figure who left an indelible mark on the city of Los Angeles and the media industry. His story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the importance of adapting to change.

Privileged Son: Otis Chandler And The Rise And Fall Of The L.A. Times Dynasty

by Dennis McDougal

4.4 out of 5