New York Times replaces Jill Abramson as top editor in unexpected move

The New York Times Co said that managing editor Dean Baquet will become executive editor of the company's flagship newspaper, effective immediately, succeeding Jill Abramson in an unexpected announcement today.

Abramson (60), was appointed The New York Times' first woman editor in 2011. Baquet has been managing editor of the newspaper since 2011.

In a statement about the move, New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger jnr, thanked Abramson but did not say why her tenure as editor was ending.

New York Times shares were down 4.9 per cent in afternoon trading after the announcement, touching a session low.

“Jill Abramson has my sincere thanks for not just preserving and extending the excellence of our news report during her time as executive editor, but also for inspiring her colleagues to adjust their approach to how we deliver the news,” Mr Sulzberger said.

Abramson said in a statement, "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. 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." – (Reuters)