Newspapers – Watchdog or Lapdog?

A shout-out to Robin Goldsworthy, courageous editor and publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly.

Courageous? On Aug. 14, Robin published my letter on former Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), who is now the chief executive officer of LA Fire Justice, a Pasadena law firm that is working on behalf of Eaton Canyon Fire victims.

During his years in the Assembly, Chris Holden accepted campaign contributions from Pacific Gas and Electric, which escaped prosecution for the 2018 Camp Fire that killed 86 people and wiped out the town of Paradise. The following year, he authored the California Wildfire Fund that allowed investor-owned utilities to tap into a $21 billion insurance fund, courtesy of ratepayers and taxpayers.

Likewise, Chris Holden accepted campaign contributions from Southern California Edison, the public utility whose faulty equipment allegedly caused the recent Eaton Canyon Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed 9,000 homes.

Fortified in the belief that it was a blatant conflict of interest for Chris Holden to take a job with LA Fire Justice after he was termed out in November, I mailed copies of my letter to the publishers, editors and reporters at four Pasadena newspapers – two of which were running advertisements for the law firm, complete with a picture and testimonial of Holden himself.

To date, there has been no response, either in print or in writing, from any Pasadena newspaper. Is the press supposed to be the watchdog or lapdog of the government?

Les Hammer
Pasadena

Urges Protection of Creators

I write as a resident of California’s 30th Congressional District (key coverage areas are Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood and parts of Pasadena and Los Angeles) to highlight how integral the entertainment industry – especially late-night television – is to our community. ABC’s national headquarters in Burbank lies in CA-30, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is filmed nightly at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, a vivid reminder that this district isn’t just a collection of neighborhoods but a hub of culture, creativity and free speech.

In the wake of ABC’s cancellation decision, the crowds of demonstrators gathering outside the El Capitan make it clear that this isn’t just about one television host. Their chants and signs reflect a broader anxiety: when political or corporate pressures silence programs, it chills free expression for everyone. These protests symbolize the passion of Angelenos to defend both the jobs connected to production and the values of the First Amendment.

Whether or not you enjoy Jimmy Kimmel’s show, its filming here is a symbol: Hollywood’s traditions of dissent, the arts as a voice for democracy and the role of this community in shaping national discourse. We must protect the autonomy of creators and ensure that no show or studio here is silenced by outside forces.

Pini Herman