The Los Angeles Times has officially named Terry Tang as its executive editor, removing the “interim” tag from her title. Tang, who previously served as the editorial page editor, took on the leadership role in January on a provisional basis. The owners of the newspaper, Patrick and Michele Soon-Shiong, expressed their excitement about Tang leading the newsroom, stating that she has demonstrated the capability to build on the legacy of excellence in journalism.
In particular, the Soon-Shiongs highlighted Tang’s understanding of the mission to make the paper a “thriving pillar of democracy” and to shed light on important issues, especially for marginalized voices. They also emphasized the importance of building new audiences and engaging with readers to ensure the sustainability of the business.
Tang’s appointment comes at a time of significant turbulence in the media industry and within the Los Angeles Times itself. She is now the first woman to lead the newsroom, and since taking on the interim role, Tang has made key promotions within the editorial team. She has also continued to oversee the opinion section and will do so under her official leadership role.
Tang expressed her honor at leading an institution that serves the community and aims to make their work indispensable to readers. With more developments expected to come, Tang’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the Los Angeles Times and the journalism industry as a whole.