Abramson to be new editor of New York Times

This all happened rather suddenly this morning, with staffers summoned via email to the sun-lit New York Times newsroom. "Folks, please gather in the 3rd Floor newsroom at 11 A.M. today for
announcements," said the note from Ellen Kavier, assistant to Executive Editor Bill Keller. There they learned from publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr., that Keller is stepping down effective Sept. 6 to become a writer again. He'll have a column in the new Sunday opinion section. Managing editor Jill Abramson will succeed Keller, becoming the first woman to lead the NYT. She had taken a leave from her job last year to spend several months learning the online operation. "Jill, this is your time," Sulzberger says in the NYT's live tweeting of the announcement. Dean Baquet, the Washington bureau chief who used to lead the Los Angeles Times, will take over Abramson's spot as number two. Abramson said it's her dream job. "In my house growing up, The Times substituted for religion,” she said. “If The Times said it, it was the absolute truth." NYT story

Photos: New York Times, top one via Twitter

Edited post

Previously on LA Observed:
Dean Baquet's role at New York Times expands
NYT editor on LAT's woes