Outgoing WSJ EIC Murray to staff: Immense gratitude

Outgoing Wall Street Journal editor in chief Matt Murray sent out the following on Monday:

Dear All,

As you’ve seen, after nearly five years in this post, I will soon be taking a new role in the company and handing the newsroom reins to a new editor. I’m thrilled for Emma Tucker, a highly accomplished editor and leader, and I know she has all our best wishes and support in this transition as she steps into the best job in journalism.

I’m confident that with Emma working closely with Almar and the Dow Jones team, the stage is set for the next great chapter in the 130-year-plus history of this important institution that we all love. Our resilience has been shown time and again in recent years as we navigated unusually tough economic, social and political turmoil, a global pandemic, return to work and continued upheaval in our own industry. Thanks to you, we have risen to every challenge and taken the organization to new heights.

When I took this job, we talked about areas where we needed to reinvent the Journal: digital product and reach; a greater emphasis on companies, markets and the areas that differentiate us; better training and staff development and diversity; growth of video, audio, live events and other new mediums; more output and new formats; and always, big scoops and stories that matter. Today, our circulation is the highest it’s ever been. Journal subs are now more than 80 percent digital. Traffic has doubled, and output has gone up in every area. Journal events are booming. All newsroom processes and planning are transformed. We’ve built robust teams to serve new partners and formats and tell news stories in new ways, from Apple News to YouTube. We retain the trust of readers to a unique degree in our industry. And of course, you’ve delivered a historic run of stories—and you know I don’t like to use that adjective lightly.

I feel immense gratitude after nearly three decades in this newsroom. It still amazes me that I was ever allowed into the building, let alone offered so many opportunities over the years. I’m deeply grateful to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch and to Robert Thomson for asking me to serve as editor in chief nearly five years ago, and for trusting me again to take on new responsibilities at News Corp.

Most of all, I feel profoundly fortunate to work with and learn from so many great journalists and colleagues, past and present. It’s hard to put into words how much of a blessing that has been. In the coming weeks, I look forward to spending time with you, welcoming Emma and toasting what lies ahead for all of us.

Best,
Matt