Gerard Baker steps down as Journal editor

After two years of internal disputes about its coverage of Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal is changing editors.

Gerard Baker, who has sparred with staff members over his perceived reluctance to go after Trump, is stepping down to become editor-at-large. Matt Murray, a Journal veteran of more than two decades, will be its next editor-in-chief.

Murray has most recently served as executive editor. In stepping up to the top newsroom position, Murray said “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.”

In his new role, Baker is expected to write a column and host a new Journal-branded program on Fox Business, which is also part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

Baker has faced criticism, from inside and outside the newsroom, that paper wasn’t aggressive enough in covering candidate and later President Donald Trump. Last year, Baker told staff that it was “fake news” to suggest the Journal hadn’t been tough enough.

In a statement, Baker said, “There has never been a more important time nor a greater demand for trusted, authoritative, objective journalism and I am very much looking forward to continuing to pursue that mission as a writer, commentator and interviewer.

Baker said he was honored to hand over the reins of this venerable institution to Matt Murray, an editor of unsurpassed quality and a trusted friend and colleague.”

The original story can be found here.