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Brian McGrory will return as editor of the Boston Globe in January, the company said on Monday, marking a comeback to the newspaper where he spent more than three decades and previously led the newsroom from 2012 until early 2023.
His reappointment offers clues about how this leading metro paper intends to navigate the next phase of digital transformation and local journalism sustainability.
Boston Globe Media said McGrory “brings a distinguished record of leadership, innovation, and journalistic excellence” from his earlier tenure and from subsequent roles in academia and nonprofit news. During his decade as editor, the Globe won multiple Pulitzer Prizes, expanded its digital reporting and restructured its newsroom, steps the company credited with significant growth in digital subscriptions.
After leaving the Globe, McGrory became chair of Boston University’s journalism department, where he launched a Local News Initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among nonprofit and independent outlets across New England. He also held several leadership roles at a nonprofit news organisation in Baltimore, serving as a board member, strategic adviser and at times interim chief executive and editor. That outlet won its first Pulitzer Prize during his involvement.
“Brian’s passion for the Globe and his love of Boston are deeply intertwined,” said Linda Henry, chief executive of Boston Globe Media. “We are thrilled to welcome Brian back and look forward to the work our world-class newsroom will continue to do under his leadership.”
McGrory said the return was unexpected. “Life doesn’t always follow plans, and this wasn’t part of mine,” he said. “But pretty much my entire career has been tied to the Globe, proudly so, and I’m honored to return and play what I hope will be a helpful role during this complicated moment in the region and beyond.”
“We’ll continue to drive the Globe forward,” he said. “I arrive back with some added experiences from my time away, the Globe is in a different place than when I left, and the industry has entirely new challenges to face. It was the honor of my life to be the editor once. It is something even beyond that now.”
McGrory’s reappointment comes as regional publishers search for sustainable business models amid declining print advertising and continued industry consolidation. Analysts have pointed to the Globe’s focus on digital subscriptions and events as central to diversifying revenue and supporting long-term investment in journalism.
His return will be closely watched for signals about editorial priorities, including the balance between local investigative work, partnerships with nonprofit newsrooms and the paper’s digital-first strategy.
Colleagues say McGrory’s first tenure was marked by structural changes to beats and a stronger emphasis on digital storytelling, a combination credited with awards recognition and audience growth. He moved into management after reporting roles that included national and White House correspondence and a stint as a metro columnist, bringing reporting experience into newsroom leadership.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the announcement made on 15 December 2025. No earlier publications of this specific content were found. The report originates from PR Newswire, a reputable press release distribution service, indicating a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content is not recycled or republished across low-quality sites.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Linda Henry and Brian McGrory are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting original content. No variations in quote wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from PR Newswire, a reputable press release distribution service, indicating a high level of reliability. The Boston Globe is a well-established and reputable organisation, further supporting the credibility of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about Brian McGrory’s return as editor of The Boston Globe are plausible and consistent with his previous tenure and recent activities. The narrative aligns with known facts about McGrory’s career and the Globe’s recent developments. No inconsistencies or implausible elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reliable source. The quotes are unique, and the claims are plausible and consistent with known facts. No credibility risks were identified, leading to a high-confidence assessment.
