Beckett set to be next WSJ DC bureau chief

Paul Beckett, the Asia editor of the Wall Street Journal, is expected to take over as the chief of the paper’s D.C. bureau, report Jake Sherman and Hadas Gold of The Wall Street Journal.

Sherman and Gold write, “Beckett, who has been at the Journal for more than 20 years, takes over for Jerry Seib in early 2017.

“Seib, who has been at the paper since 1977, will become the paper’s executive Washington editor and chief commentator in January, Baker announced on Thursday morning.

“Neil King, the deputy D.C. bureau chief of the Journal who is a favorite of the paper’s Washington reporters, is expected to get a larger editing portfolio, including a bigger hand in political coverage, according to sources familiar with the move.

“Sources at the paper expect an official announcement in the next few days.

“Seib declined to comment on any future moves, only noting that he’s ‘not going anywhere’ and is taking on a new role where he intends ‘to remain deeply involved in the bureau, which is filled with people I love and admire.’ Baker did not respond to an email, and a Wall Street Journal spokesman declined to comment specifically on Beckett or King, instead pointing to Baker’s earlier memo about an announcement coming shortly.”

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