The Boston Globe
Boston.com politics editor Glen Johnson will become a senior adviser to incoming U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. “All I’ve ever wanted to do — since junior high school — and have done professionally – is be a news reporter. But this chance to serve the country and Secretary Kerry at such a tumultuous time, as well as work in foreign affairs and travel the world, was too compelling an opportunity to pass up,” Johnson told the Globe.
The Globe says that since Johnson told his editors about the possible gig, he “has been taking vacation time he had accrued and has not been involved with political coverage at the Globe or boston.com.”
In Kerry’s farewell speech to the U.S. Senate, he saluted reporters:
And, I thank the reporters who catch us in the hallways, trap us, ambush us in the hallways —- , despite all the changes and challenges in their own business, still dutifully document the first drafts of American history. I thank all the incredible people who travel through these halls working incredibly hard to get it right, people of character who cover this place as a public service not a sport – and I thank them.
He also criticized the nexus of politics and media:
My friends, the persistent shouting match of the perpetual campaign, one that takes place in parallel universes thanks to our polarized, self-selecting media, makes it harder and harder to build consensus among people. The people don’t know what to believe. So in many ways it encourages an oversimplification of problems that too often retreat to slogans, not ideas for real solutions.
Some journoreaction:
Glen Johnson, a terrific reporter, is leaving journalism to work with John Kerry at State. ow.ly/hiADc
— The Fix (@TheFix) January 31, 2013
Congratulations @globeglen bo.st/YGxnKa Great hire by new sec/state
— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) January 31, 2013
.@globeglen SPEAKS…and leaves the profession. I am despairing.
— maggie haberman (@maggiepolitico) January 31, 2013
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