Escobar will lead largest newsroom in the region as it continues on its mission of producing essential journalism for the communities of Philadelphia 

The Philadelphia Inquirer today announced the appointment of seasoned journalist and newsroom leader Gabriel Escobar as its Editor and Senior Vice President. In Escobar’s new role he is responsible for driving the newsroom’s ambitious digital transformation and ensuring that it continues to provide innovative and essential journalism to Philadelphia’s many communities. The position is effective immediately.

Jessica Griffin/Philadephia Inquirer

“It is both humbling and an honor to be named editor of such a storied institution and one founded in the birthplace of the First Amendment,” said Escobar. “Gabriel García Márquez once said that journalism is the best job in the world. So is leading a newsroom whose talented and dedicated journalists continue to do extraordinary work in the face of extraordinary challenges.”

Escobar joined The Inquirer in 2007 and has served as Metropolitan Editor, Assistant Managing Editor, and Managing Editor. Under his tenure, Escobar has overseen coverage of national and local issues including the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on Philadelphia, social justice protests, a fatal Amtrak train derailment, Pope Francis’ visit, and the 2016 Democratic National Convention. 

“Gabriel Escobar is a distinguished journalist who has the experience, integrity, and passion to run our newsroom. And he has the respect of his colleagues not only in the newsroom, but throughout the company, and the industry. I am thrilled to have him seamlessly step into this role,” said Lisa Hughes, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Before joining The Inquirer, Escobar, 64, worked at the Washington Post for 16 years as a reporter on the local and national desks and as a foreign correspondent in Latin America. He was the Post’s City Editor for six years, a period that included 9/11, the anthrax attacks, and the D.C. sniper. Escobar’s career also has taken him to Dallas, where he was on the editorial board of the Morning News and taught journalism at Southern Methodist University. He also was a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News, and he worked briefly outside of journalism for the non-partisan Pew Hispanic Center as its Associate Director. 

“Gabe Escobar is expertly suited to lead our newsroom to meet the challenges of the media industry today,” said Josh Kopelman, Chairman of The Inquirer’s Board of Directors. 

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Escobar moved with his family to Queens, N.Y., when he was 7. He earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Queens College, City University of New York, and a master’s in journalism from the University of Maryland. Escobar, the first Latino Editor in The Inquirer’s 191-year history, lives in Delaware County with his wife, Louisa Shepard, a news officer at the University of Pennsylvania. They have three sons. 

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