New York Times replaces Jill Abramson as executive editor

USPA News - Jill Abramson, the executive editor of The New York Times, was unexpectedly replaced Wednesday to improve newsroom management, the newspaper`s publisher said. Managing editor Dean Baquet will succeed Abramson, making him the first African-American in that role.

Abramson, 60, had been the executive editor of The New York Times since September 2011, and Wednesday`s announcement came as a surprise to many. Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., the publisher of The New York Times and chairman of The New York Times Company, said he decided to appoint a new leader to improve "some aspects" of the newsroom`s management. Further details about the sudden change in management were not immediately made public. Abramson, who was the first woman to lead The New York Times, was not present in the newsroom when the company announced her departure, which is effective immediately. "I`ve loved my run at The Times. I got to work with the best journalists in the world doing so much stand-up journalism," Abramson said in a written statement. "Holding powerful institutions accountable is the mission of The Times and the hallmark of my time as executive editor, whether stories about China, government secrecy, or powerful figures and corporations." Reflecting on her time as executive editor, Abramson noted the increasing numbers of women in top positions at the newspaper as one of her accomplishments. "Our masthead became half female for the first time and so many great women hold important newsroom positions," she said. Baquet, 57, had served as the newspaper`s managing editor prior to Wednesday`s announcement. "It is an honor to be asked to lead the only newsroom in the country that is actually better than it was a generation ago, one that approaches the world with wonder and ambition every day," he said, describing The New York Times as the "greatest news operation in history." Sulzberger said there was no journalist better qualified than Baquet to take on the responsibilities of executive editor. "He is an exceptional reporter and editor with impeccable news judgment who enjoys the confidence and support of his colleagues around the world and across the organization," he said. Founded in 1851, The New York Times is one of the largest and most respected newspapers in the United States with an average print circulation of more than 680,000 on business days and 1.2 million on Sunday. Combined with digital subscriptions, the daily circulation is 2.1 million for business days and 2.5 million for Sundays.