Contact: Kim Brockway Embargoed for use on

(212) 854-2419 Tuesday, April 13, 1999

kkb18@columbia.edu

Long-time newspaper executive David Laventhol has been named publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR), Tom Goldstein, dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, announced. Effective July 1, Laventhol will succeed Joan Konner, who has been publisher since 1988.

Laventhol was the publisher of The Los Angeles Times, publisher and editor at Newsday, and president of the Times Mirror company during 30 years with the California-based media company. He remained a consultant to the company when he retired last summer.

ãI am thrilled that David Laventhol, one of the giants of journalism, has agreed to take on the job of publishing CJR,ä Goldstein said. ãWe at Columbia and all those in the extended journalistic family are fortunate to have David at the helm as we deal with the challenges of the new century. He is an appropriate successor to Joan Konner, who almost single-handedly kept the magazine vibrant and on course for the past 11 years.ä

ãThe Columbia Journalism Review is of unique importance to the media, a publication whose articles and ideas help define and shape the national journalistic agenda,ä said Laventhol. ãThe review has a remarkable record of performance over the past 38 years, a tribute to my predecessors and all who have worked on the magazine. I hope I can protect and enhance that heritage and make the review even more valuable in the context of the world of rapid change that todayâs journalists live in.ä

Laventhol has been an active member of the journalism schoolâs board of visitors for the past four years and received the Columbia Journalism School Award in 1994. He served on the Pulitzer Prize board for nine years and was chairman in 1993, and was chairman of the International Press Institute from 1993 to 1995.

Last year, Times Mirror established the Times Mirror David Laventhol Chair, which brings journalists and educators to Columbia to explore new ideas and diverse approaches to media issues, news coverage and workplace opportunities. Newsdayâs Les Payne currently holds the visiting professorship.

Konner, a broadcast journalist who worked in commercial network television and in public television, served as CJRâs publisher since 1988 and as the schoolâs dean from 1988 to 1996. She will remain on the faculty.

ãAs Joan Konnerâs term as publisher of Columbia Journalism Review comes to a close, we in journalism are in her debt,ä said Goldstein. ãAgainst formidable odds, she almost single-handedly made sure the publication stayed afloat while serving its historic function as a conscience to the profession. Most of the time that Joan served as publisher, she also served as dean of the school; I am in awe that she could have handled two such demanding jobs.ä

CJR, founded in 1961, remains true to its founding mission of improving and elevating journalism. Its editor is Marshall Loeb, former managing editor of Fortune and Money. Highlights from recent issues include a survey of journalistsâ opinions of the professionâs handling of the White House scandal; how computer-assisted reporting is changing journalism; and a resource guide for reporters covering the complex world of managed health care. Stories from the most recent print version of CJR are added regularly to its web site, www.cjr.org.

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