Pam Sohn named Chattanooga Times editorial page editor

photo Pam Sohn

Pam Sohn, an award-winning reporter and editor in Chattanooga for the past 28 years, has been appointed editorial page editor for The Chattanooga Times.

She will succeed Harry Austin, who is retiring on May 3 after serving as the Times' opinion page editor since 1999.

A native of Walden's Ridge, Sohn began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. In Chattanooga, she has been a reporter, city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press and The Chattanooga Times.

"Pam has covered just about every beat and has a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge that will serve her well as an opinion writer," Alison Gerber, managing editor of the Times Free Press, said Thursday in announcing Sohn's appointment. "As a former Chattanooga Times reporter, she's perfectly positioned to carry on the tradition of the Times page."

The Times Free Press is unique among American newspapers in publishing two editorial pages. On the left side, the Times opinion page offers a more liberal perspective and commentary. On the right, the Free Press editorial page presents a conservative viewpoint under the direction of Free Press opinion page editor Drew Johnson.

Jason Taylor, president of the Times Free Press, said Sohn understands and respects the tradition of the Chattanooga Times editorial page.

"She possesses an impressive depth of knowledge surrounding the issues and history of our region," he said. "She will undoubtedly continue to educate us through her research while challenging us with her perspective."

Sohn has won dozens of writing and editing awards in both Alabama and Tennessee, including first-place honors for breaking news, investigative news, public service, features and reporting without a deadline. During her tenure as Sunday editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the paper received the 2002 first-place honors for Best Sunday editions and Sweepstakes Award -- best paper in the state.

"I have big shoes to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenge," Sohn said. "I have spent decades reporting news stories in and around Chattanooga. Now I hope I can add context to some of our stories with observations that go beyond daily reporting. I am honored to be waving the Times flag for Adolph Ochs and Ruth Holmberg and Harry Austin."

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