WSJ names Murray its new editor; Baker to become editor at large

The Wall Street Journal promoted executive editor Matt Murray to be its new editor, replacing Gerard Baker.

Baker, who had been editor for five-and-a-half years, becomes an editor at large. The change takes effect on June 11.

“I have no doubt that Matt is a worthy successor as editor-in-chief and will be a leader of the highest commitment and integrity,” said News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson in a statement. “His strong reporting and editing background and his passion for the Journal are obvious to all who have the privilege of working with him.”

Prior to being executive editor Murray was deputy editor-in-chief since 2013, and had been a deputy managing editor since 2008. He joined Dow Jones & Co. in 1994 as a reporter for the Pittsburgh bureau. In 1997, he joined the Journal’s Money & Investing section, where he covered banking.

Murray joined the news desk in 2004, and later served as a deputy national editor and national news editor. He is the author of “The Father and the Son” and the co-author, with former New York City fire commissioner Thomas Von Essen, of “Strong of Heart.”

“I am honored to have been appointed editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal and it is a privilege to serve our millions of readers in print and digital,” said Murray in a statement. “Our diverse array of talented journalists, ranging from reporters to graphic artists, video producers to data experts, are the best in the business. Every day, we set out to ensure that we are the most trusted source of news and information.”

Baker had drawn criticism from within the newsroom for his handling of certain news stories, particularly those surrounding President Donald Trump. During his tenure, however, subscriptions grew by a third.

One editorial staffer said that “there is much rejoicing in the newsroom” and “people are giddy” about Murray replacing Baker.

Baker’s job as editor at large will include regular writing, hosting the paper’s expanding network of conferences and events, and television presenting.

He will write a regular column in Review, the paper’s weekend section, as well as other articles for the paper. In addition, he will host a WSJ-branded news and interview show on Fox Business Network.

The five-member Dow Jones Special Committee, formed in 2007 to monitor editorial standards and ethics issues at The Wall Street Journal, has unanimously approved the changes.

““There is little doubt that at a time when journalism faces a host of challenges, readers are hungry for sophisticated, fair, illuminating and fact-based journalism -– and see us as a uniquely trusted news source,” said Murray in a statement.