Report: L. A. Times Editor O'Shea Forced Out For Resisting Budget Cuts

The New York Times reports that Los Angeles Times editor James O'Shea has been forced out because he would not cooperate with newsroom budget cuts ordered by the paper's publisher, David Hiller. The Times notes that this is the "the fourth time in less than three years that the highest-ranking editor or the publisher has left for that reason."

Sources within The Times said that the dispute arose from Mr. Hiller’s desire to cut the newsroom’s expense budget during the heated presidential campaign, a time when such expenses usually spike. Editors and reporters say that Mr. Hiller told them in a meeting in November that he wanted to reduce the head count somewhat by the end of this year. All of these people were granted anonymity so they would talk about internal matters they were not authorized to discuss.