Veteran New York Times editor, Pulitzer winner Kahn named to lead newspaper

The New York Times announced Tuesday morning that veteran editor and Pulitzer Prize-winner Joseph Kahn will run the newspaper, succeeding Dean Baquet as executive editor.

Kahn, who won a  Pulitzer for his coverage of China, is the former head of The Times' international desk and recently helped lead the paper as the managing editor.

He has been with the Times for 24 years.

"For many people, especially those who have worked alongside Joe – a brilliant journalist and a brave and principled leader – this announcement will come as no surprise," wrote A.G. Sulzbereger, the publisher of the Times in an announcement to staff.

"Joe brings impeccable news judgment, a sophisticated understanding of the forces shaping the world and a long track record of helping journalists produce their most ambitious and courageous work."

Kahn, 57, will assume his new title when Baquet steps down in June, following an eight year tenure as executive editor.

Baquet will remain with the paper leading "an exciting new venture."

A number of changes to the paper's newsroom in recent years have happened at the direction of Kahn, who has focused on the modern media landscape.

He dissolved, for the most part, the paper's copy desk and utilized real-time news update tools and visual journalism. He has also been largely responsible for aspects of the paper's expansion in Europe and Asia, according to the announcement. 

Kahn says that "in a time of polarization and partisanship," securing the trust of the public remains a top goal of his. "We don’t know where the political zeitgeist will move over time. Rather than chase that, we want to commit and recommit to being independent," he said.