Reuters announced a reorganization of its news operations on Tuesday, and editor in chief Stephen Adler will be holding a noon presentation for the staff in New York, which will be webcast internally to other locations.
In a memo sent out to employees, Adler explained some of the changes. It’s a long memo, so the following are some excerpts:
1. “In this new structure, the existing Global Managing Editor job is essentially divided between the Chief Operating Officer, who will handle operations, support, and logistics; and the Deputy Editor-in-Chief, who will oversee content creation in all media and absorb the responsibilities of Global Specialists Editor as well. Global Managing Editor Betty Wong is leaving Reuters, and I want to thank her on behalf of the entire company for her invaluable contributions throughout her 21-year career here.”
2. “The new structure creates the crucial role of Regional Editor, essentially converting the top regional position from one of administration (under the old managing editors structure) to one of news leadership.”
3. “Multimedia is split between Reuters Insider and Pictures and Television. The rationale is that Insider primarily serves financial customers, while Pictures and Television directs its work across our businesses, with a special emphasis on our agency customers. The separation will allow greater focus for each. Pictures and Television will continue to report to Mark Thompson. Reuters Insider will be led by Chris Cramer, who will be charged with expanding its strategic importance with the broader roll-out of Eikon.”
4. “The reorganization eliminates the global specialist editor roles, thus removing a layer of management. We remain committed to global specialty coverage and will empower the regional specialist editors to work together on stories and issues that cross regions.”
5. “As I have discussed with many of you, I am strongly committed to creating more attractive career paths for journalists who want to continue reporting and writing rather than become managers. Eliminating the tier of global specialist editors will allow us to create senior reporting positions that will enhance our coverage in key areas. This is good for the staff and great for the file.”
6. “These are big changes, but there’s no question that we have a great foundation on which to build. David Schlesinger and his leadership team are responsible for much of that, and I’d like to thank them for their generosity, grace, and good counsel during the transition period. I know many of you will have questions and concerns about the new structure. I’ll give you two assurances: first, that the leadership team—and I in particular—will listen to your ideas and continue to evaluate the way we operate to ensure that the plans that look good on paper also work on the ground; and second, that my sole goal will be to make us the number one news provider in the world.
