Johnson Officially Named CNN Chief

Turner Broadcasting System confirmed that Tom Johnson, vice chairman of Times Mirror Co. and former publisher of the Los Angeles Times, has been named president and chief executive of its Cable News Network subsidiary in Atlanta.

Johnson succeeds Burton Reinhardt, 70, who is retiring but will remain vice chairman of CNN and will advise Johnson during a transition period, Turner Broadcasting said.

TBS Chairman Ted Turner said of Johnson: “With a background spanning the fields of broadcast and print journalism, business and government, he will keep CNN on the cutting edge of electronic journalism and will continue its international expansion.”

Johnson, 48, a native of Macon, Ga., was the first person outside the Chandler family to become publisher of The Times.

“After 17 years with Times Mirror, a company I love, it is time for a change,” Johnson said. “The opportunity to join CNN is irresistible, and I am most enthusiastic about upholding Ted Turner’s commitment to maintaining a world-class global news organization.”