The Los Angeles Times is removing “interim” from executive editor Terry Tang’s job title.
The newspaper announced on Monday that it was making things official with its former editorial page editor, who was elevated to the leadership role on a provisional basis in January. “We’re thrilled to have Terry Tang leading the L.A. Times newsroom,” owners Patrick and Michele Soon-Shiong said in a statement. “We made a decision in December to make changes in leadership to revitalize the L.A. Times. Terry in short order has demonstrated the capability of building on our legacy of excellence in journalism with stories that matter.”
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In particular, the Soon-Shiongs highlighted Tang’s comprehension of their mission to make the paper “a thriving pillar of democracy” and to highlight the “issues that matter most, especially for those whose voices are often unheard.” Tang also understands that the paper must build new audiences and “better engage with our readers,” the owners stated, in order to make its business sustainable.
Taking the helm during a period of intense turbulence in media and at the Times itself, Tang is now formally the first woman to lead the Times‘ newsroom. In the months since she was first named interim executive editor, Tang has promoted former deputy managing editor for California and metro Hector Becerra to managing editor and former city editor Maria L. La Ganga to Becerra’s former role. Tang has also continued to oversee the opinion section during this time and is set to continue to do so under her official leadership role.
“The Los Angeles Times and its superb journalists make a difference every day in the life of California and this nation,” Tang said in a statement. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead an institution that serves our community and to make our work indispensable to our readers.”
The paper’s editorial staff is still reeling from the resignation of its previous executive editor, Kevin Merida, in January, and the events that followed. Alerted that layoffs were coming, the Los Angeles Times union in January held its first 24-hour newsroom walkout on Jan. 19 that was nevertheless followed by a round of deep cuts to the staff. Multiple top editors — including Sara Yasin, Shani Hilton, and Julia Turner — departed the newsroom in January and February.
Times owner Soon-Shiong told reporter Meg James in January, when layoffs were announced, that the paper needed to curb losses of $30 to $40 million a year and bring in more subscription and advertising revenue. “Today’s decision is painful for all, but it is imperative that we act urgently and take steps to build a sustainable and thriving paper for the next generation. We are committed to doing so,” he said, noting that he has poured nearly $1 billion into the Times since purchasing the paper in 2018.
In her permanent role, Tang will need to tackle the mandate to expand readership and navigate a punishing overall media landscape. Facing a tough advertising climate and continual threats to business like changes to social media algorithms, titles such as Sports Illustrated, Time and Buzzfeed have made significant cuts this year alone, while the downfalls of The Messenger and Vice News have led to hundreds of job losses. According to Times president and COO Chris Argentieri, Tang is up to the task: “Terry is truly the best candidate to lead the Los Angeles Times’ journalism organization now and we’re fortunate she accepted the role,” he said in a statement.
A longtime Californian, Tang grew up in Gardena after her family immigrated from Taiwan. She began her journalism career in Seattle, working as a reporter and writer at Seattle Weekly and The Seattle Times, eventually landing at the New York Times and working there in multiple editor roles. She arrived at the Los Angeles Times in 2019 and became the top editorial page editor in 2022.
