The Wall Street Journal has named Emma Tucker as its next editor-in-chief, marking the first time the Rupert Murdoch-owned financial newspaper has handed control of the newsroom to a female. Tucker has been with the Wall Street Journal for 20 years, rising through the ranks to become the first woman to assume the role of top editor.
In her new role, Tucker will oversee the daily operations of the newsroom and the publication of the paper’s online and print editions. She will also be in charge of furthering the Journal’s mission to provide comprehensive and accurate coverage of financial news, business trends and markets around the world.
Tucker is taking over from former editor-in-chief Matt Murray, who resigned from the post in November. She has been with the Wall Street Journal since 2003, where she has been a senior editor and managing editor, as well as the paper’s European editor.
Prior to joining the Wall Street Journal, Tucker worked as an editor at The Times of London and The Sunday Times, where she covered a range of topics including politics, business and technology.
In a statement, Tucker said she was honored to be taking on the role of editor-in-chief and that she was looking forward to guiding the paper’s coverage in the “turbulent and unpredictable times” that lie ahead.
Tucker’s appointment comes as the Wall Street Journal faces increasing pressure to maintain its journalistic integrity in the face of growing partisanship and political interference in the media.
In recent months, the paper has been subject to criticism for its coverage of the U.S. election, with some critics accusing the paper of bias. Tucker has promised that she will strive to ensure that the paper’s coverage is accurate, fair and unbiased.
Tucker’s appointment also comes amid reports that the Wall Street Journal’s parent company, News Corp, is considering selling the newspaper. It is unclear whether Tucker’s appointment is part of a move to make the paper more attractive to potential buyers.
Tucker will assume her new role on January 1, 2021, and will be the first female to lead the Wall Street Journal in its 125-year history.
In a statement, Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of News Corp, said that Tucker was “the ideal person to lead the Wall Street Journal into the future.”
Murdoch also praised Tucker’s “unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and integrity” and said that her appointment was “a sign of the importance we place on quality journalism.”
Tucker is the latest in a series of high-profile female editors to assume leadership positions at some of the world’s leading news organizations.
She joins the ranks of former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson and former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron, who both held their posts for more than a decade.
Tucker has said that she will strive to ensure that the Wall Street Journal remains “a leader in thoughtful, independent journalism” and that she will uphold the paper’s commitment to “truth-telling and accuracy.”
