The Poynter Institute has named Timothy A. Franklin, a veteran editor and educator, as its new president.
Franklin most recently worked as managing editor of Bloomberg News in Washington. Previously, he was the editor of three metropolitan newspapers, and he was the founding director of the National Sports Journalism Center at Indiana University.
“Tim brings a wealth of experience in journalism across all platforms and a strong background in journalism education,” said Paul Tash, the chairman of the Poynter Institute trustees. “For everyone who cares about journalism as a foundation of democracy, this is excellent news.”
Franklin will become Poynter’s fifth president since the institute was founded in 1975. He succeeds Karen Dunlap, who retired after a decade as president.
Franklin graduated from Indiana University, where he edited the daily student newspaper and was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists as the top college journalism student in the country. He was named an Indiana University School of Journalism Distinguished Alum in 2012, an award that recognizes the profession’s leaders.
He started his career at the Chicago Tribune and then was the top editor at The Indianapolis Star, the Orlando Sentinel and the Baltimore Sun. For the last 2½ years, he has helped to direct daily news coverage from Bloomberg’s bureau in Washington, which has some 200 journalists.
Between the newspapers and Bloomberg, Franklin launched the nation’s leading academic program for sports media students at Indiana University.
Under Franklin’s direction, the center established partnerships with the nation’s two largest sports media organizations.
Brad Hamm, dean of IU’s journalism school when the program launched, said of Franklin’s leadership: “Every month we were better than the month before. Tim kept improving areas and developing new ideas.”
Hamm, now dean at Northwestern University and a Poynter trustee, added, “It’s hard for me to imagine a more ideal person to lead Poynter. He has skills and experience across all areas.”
