The editor of The Guardian newspaper, Alan Rusbridger, has announced that he is stepping down from his position.
Rusbridger, in a message on the social networking site Twitter, said he would step down next year. A statement from The Guardian said he would be going to chair The Scott Trust, effective in 2016 when its current chair, Liz Forgan, reaches the end of her term.
Announced tdy that I will succeed Liz Forgan as Scott Trust Chair in 2016. Great honour to be asked to take this role 1/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
Scott Trust founded to protect and safeguard Guardian. Important bastion of free speech & journalistic independence 2/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
Will step down as editor in chief of the Guardian after 20 years next summer 3/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
In that statement, Rusbridger said The Guardian’s journalism would be in safe hands.
“In global journalism, there are a handful of roles that have the capability to redefine our industry,” Rusbridger said. “I am privileged to have held one of those roles for 20 years, a period in which successful newspapers have become global content providers, reaching audiences in dramatically new and valuable ways. We have strong future leaders in place with unparalleled news and digital experience, and I know that our journalism will be in the best possible hands.”
As soon as the announcement was confirmed, tributes were paid on Twitter by his Guardian colleagues, as well as student journalists and observers of the industry. The Scott Trust will appoint Rusbridger’s successor, the statement added.
Have a huge amount of respect and admiration for @arusbridger, who is stepping down as editor of @guardian after 20 incredible years.
— Alexandra Topping (@LexyTopping) December 10, 2014
.@arusbridger has been an amazing editor. He’ll always be near the top of my favourite journalists list. So sad to see him go.
— Laura Abernethy (@LisforLaura) December 10, 2014
few people in the history of journalism have had the vision and talent of @arusbridger – or could play the piano as well. A great editor
— emily bell (@emilybell) December 10, 2014
Rusbridger will be remembered for helping The Guardian expand its digital innovations, particularly utilising open journalism as a value of the paper’s output, through interaction with readers online as well as on social media platforms, including Twitter.
Rusbridger will also be known for the paper’s expansion into Australia and the United States, as well as the controversy surrounding the publication of documents leaked by the former US security contractor, Edward Snowden.
These are now interesting times for The Guardian, with the question on what chapter it will take next. One thing is guaranteed is Rusbridger’s legacy and influence within the last 20 years, which will likely remain to be a mainstay for the paper for many years.
What do you think? How has Alan Rusbridger changed The Guardian? What is the paper’s future? Have your say in the comments section below.
