The Times also named Jill Abramson as the first woman named to lead the 160-year-old news organization. Abramson, who has served as managing editor since 2003, replaces Bill Keller, the top editor for eight transitional years as the newspaper industry began its move from print to digital platforms. 

The appointments of Baquet, former editor of The Los Angeles Times, and Abramson are effective Sept. 6, according to a statement from Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the paper’s publisher and the chairman of The New York Times Co. 

"NABJ is excited to learn of Dean Baquet’s appointment, and we look forward to seeing results of perspectives he will bring to this position,” said Kathy Y. Times, NABJ president. "We are proud of his work and his commitment to excellence.”

Times added, "We take notice of The Times’ embrace of diversity in its newsroom, something that leads to better coverage of an increasingly diverse audience.

”Leading the newsroom with Abramson and Baquet is John M. Geddes, who continues as managing editor for news operations, according to a report by the Times.

 A Times article stated that as managing editor for news Baquet will supervise the daily report, a job he said he planned to do through constant direct collaborations with editors and reporters. 

"My main goal,” he told the staff, "is to stay as close as possible to news gathering. To work the room, to talk to editors and reporters every day, to make sure that we break big stories and have fun doing it.”  

"While others in our industry have used the economic climate as an excuse to ignore diversity in our nation’s newsrooms, the New York Times has stepped up as a leader in reflecting the changing demographics of our country,” said Vice President-Print Deirdre M. Childress. "These choices clearly exemplify that highly qualified candidates are available for top positions in charge in our nation’s newsrooms.”

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