Katherine Viner will be the next editor-in-chief of The Guardian , the Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper and website that is widely read and respected for its independent voice and investigative strengths.
The first woman to run the paper, and the 12th editor of the publication that was founded in 1821, Ms. Viner’s appointment by the Scott Trust which owned the Guardian was greeted warmly by her colleagues and peers. She takes over from Alan Rusbridger, who will take over as Chair of the Scott Trust early next year.
The Guardian has reported Ms. Viner as saying she was “honoured” to succeed Mr. Rusbridger. “I intend to lead a media organisation that is bold, challenging, open and engaging. It will be a home for the most ambitious journalism, ideas and events, setting the agenda and reaching out to readers all around the world.”
Ms. Viner joined the Guardian in 1997, and according to Liz Forgan, the outgoing chair of the Scott Trust, “has done almost every editorial job in the organization,” showing herself to be an “inspiring and courageous leader.”
Ms. Viner was responsible for launching the Guardian’s Australian operations. She moved to New York last summer to take over as Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian US. She has been the editor of G2, the Guardian’s daily supplement; deputy women’s editor; and editor of the Guardian Weekend magazine.
Other contenders for the top post were Ian Katz, editor of the BBC current affairs TV program Newsnight, who prior to that had spent more than 20 years as deputy editor of The Guardian; and Emily Bell, director of the Tow Centre for Digital Journalism at the Columbia Journalism School.
“Delighted the brilliant Kath Viner to be 12th Editor of the Guardian in 194 yrs. Only instruction: ‘Carry on as heretofore’” Alan Rusbridger tweeted after the decision was made yesterday.
Guardian’s Head of Media, Jane Martinson tweeted “Such great news. The fantastic @kathviner one of only 4 #women running UK papers and the one that matters most :)”
In her candidacy statement to the National Union of Journalists, Ms. Viner flagged 12 journalism essentials that will guide her priorities as Editor-in-Chief. From the more obvious “Report, report, report” and “Relentlessly cover the stories that matter”; they include the two basics of modern day journalism that the Guardian has already embraced with a great measure of success: “Be instinctively digital,”and “Cherish print, but don't let it hold us back.”
