Julia Turner, who led culture and entertainment coverage for the Los Angeles Times before moving into a business strategy role, announced Tuesday that she was leaving the newspaper.
“The time has come to explore other ways to contribute to the mission of strengthening, protecting and preserving news in the digital age,” Turner said in a note to staff. “It has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of this newsroom, one of the most talented and tenacious this industry has ever produced. I leave you a stronger, better and braver journalist, thanks to all of you.”
Turner becomes the fourth senior editor to resign since early January.
His decision comes less than two weeks after the newspaper's owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, installed Terry Tang as interim executive editor after Kevin Merida abruptly departed on Jan. 12 amid rising tensions with Soon -Shiong.
Since then, Tang has tried to calm a newsroom agitated by some 115 high-level layoffs and departures by quickly building his leadership team, including promoting Hector Becerra to editor-in-chief, his second in command.
Until Tang's appointment, Turner and managing editor Scott Kraft led the newsroom through a period of great anxiety, including a historic one-day strike by members of the newsroom union and layoffs, which caused The newsroom was reduced by more than 20%.
Turner served as senior vice president of content business strategy to bridge the gap between the newsroom and business-side executives since last March. She was previously deputy entertainment and strategy editor, leading the Times' culture and entertainment coverage. She briefly oversaw Sports.
A thoughtful editor, she encouraged entertainment staff to elevate their journalism with the goal of becoming essential reading for culture buffs, Los Angeles residents and those who work in the industry.
Its staff conducted aggressive investigations, including stories that sparked an industry boycott of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. and Golden Globes. Members of his team won or were finalists for the Pulitzer Prizes three times during his tenure.
“Julia Turner leaves the company after five years of distinguished service. “We are grateful to him for his editorial and strategic leadership, and for the way he has made us a better, stronger institution,” Chris Argentieri, president and chief operating officer of The Times, said in a statement.
Turner joined The Times in November 2018, after 15 years at online magazine Slate, where she served as editor-in-chief for four years. She continued to host Slate's “Culture Gabfest” podcast.
“I am very grateful to our owners for saving the Los Angeles Times six years ago and for inviting me to be part of the great project of developing a sustainable future for this deeply important institution,” Turner said. “I leave encouraged to know that the newsroom has passionate and capable leaders, and that this company is full of people committed to continuing the fight.”
She will join USC's Annenberg Center for Communication Policy and Leadership as a senior researcher to look for ways to develop new, sustainable business models to preserve and protect journalism and strengthen community and democracy, particularly in Southern California, according to University.
