The Boston Globe Appoints Peter S. Canellos as Editor, Editorial Page

The Boston Globe announced today that Peter S. Canellos, Washington bureau chief for the Globe, will become editor, Editorial Page, effective August 3, 2009. Mr. Canellos succeeds Renée Loth who has served as editor of the Editorial Page for the past nine years. Ms. Loth, after an impressive 24-year career at the Globe, is turning to new pursuits, which include writing a weekly column for the Globe's op-ed page and other projects.

As Editorial Page editor, Mr. Canellos will oversee the Globe’s editorial board, determining with the publisher the paper's official stance on major issues facing the region and the world. He will also oversee the paper's op-ed columnists, letters to the editor, and commentary sections both in print and online; and have responsibility for the Sunday Globe’s Ideas section. Mr. Canellos will report to Boston Globe publisher, Steve Ainsley.

Publisher Steve Ainsley stated, "I am very excited about Peter’s taking on the editorship of the Globe’s editorial pages. His many years of covering metro Boston, his distinguished leadership of our Washington bureau, his clear insight and passion make him an excellent choice and a strong voice for the region.”

Mr. Canellos, who was born in Boston and has worked at the Globe for 21 years in a variety of editorial roles, said he welcomed the opportunity to forge a deeper connection between the Globe and its readers. "Serving as Editorial Page editor requires a special bond with Boston and its readers," Canellos said. "The Editorial Page speaks for no one person but for the best interests of the city and its people. It's where we give expression to the hopes and aspirations of a whole region of the country."

Ms. Loth is looking forward to being a regular columnist for the Globe’s op-ed pages, where she hopes to "continue to knit the Globe into the civic life of Boston.” Ms. Loth started at the Globe in 1985 as a writer for the Globe Magazine. She later covered state and national politics, and rose to become the highest-ranking woman on the editorial side of the newspaper. Notable editorials under Ms. Loth’s guidance included early support for gay marriage, dogged pursuit of governmental reform at all levels, and the first presidential endorsement of Barack Obama in the country.

"Under Renée’s guidance the Globe has taken smart, principled positions that have earned the respect of opinion leaders and ordinary readers alike,” commented publisher Steve Ainsley.

Mr. Canellos said he hopes to add distinctive voices to the op-ed page and expand the paper's forums for online commentary to allow greater debate among newsmakers, writers, and Globe readers. His overall goal is to provide the breadth of perspective that helps readers reach their own conclusions about major issues.

Mr. Canellos, 46, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a law degree from Columbia University. He joined the Globe in 1988, and has served as City Hall bureau chief, Metro editor, and participated in the coverage of four presidential elections. Since 2003, he has written the Globe's National Perspective column, analyzing the week's events in the capital and beyond.

In 2007, Mr. Canellos served as editor of the Globe's seven-part series on Mitt Romney. He also served as editor of the Globe's recent seven-part series on the life of Ted Kennedy, which has won national praise for both its content and its multi-media presentation. He was editor of "Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy,” which reached number 7 on The New York Times bestseller list.

About The Boston Globe:

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