Terry Tang named executive editor of the Los Angeles Times after leading newsroom on interim basis

abcnews.go.com:

Terry Tang has been formally named executive editor of the Los Angeles Times after leading its newsroom since January on an interim basis

LOS ANGELES — Terry Tang, who has been leading the Los Angeles Times newsroom since January on an interim basis, on Monday was formally named executive editor. She is the first woman to hold the post in the newspaper's 142-year history.

Since being tapped for the interim role, Tang moved to reorganize the newsroom, form her own leadership team and place a heavier emphasis on traditional news reporting, the Times said in a report announcing the appointment.

“Terry in short order has demonstrated the capability of building on our legacy of excellence in journalism with stories that matter,” the Times’ owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, said in a statement. “She understands our mission to be a thriving pillar of democracy and the critical role that the LA Times’ voice plays — to our city, and to the world — in bringing attention to issues that matter most, especially for those whose voices are often unheard.”

Tang's appointment comes during a tumultuous year for the news institution. In January, the Times said it would lay off at least 115 employees — more than 20% of the newsroom — in one of the company's largest-ever staff cuts. Senior editors, photographers and members of the video unit were also part of the purge.

That latest round of job cutting came after more than 70 Times positions — about 13% of the newsroom — were slashed last June.

Tang replaces Kevin Merida, who abruptly left in late January after a 2 1/2-year tenure.

“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 Monday. “It’s