Nick Papps appointed inaugural editor of The California Post
Veteran News Corp Australia journalist Nick Papps has been appointed inaugural editor of The California Post – a soon-to-launch sister publication to the famed New York Post.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning local time, the New York Post Media Group heralded the new media venture, with its content to appear across multiple platforms and formats, including mobile and desktop sites, video, audio, social media and a daily print edition.
It will launch in early 2026.
'Now, more than ever, Californians need a media outlet dedicated to common sense, clever coverage of the most important issues, many of which are ignored or dismissed by current print and digital outlets,' the statement read.
'Despite its vibrancy – as well as the upcoming Olympic Games and World Cup – California lacks a voice that will hold leaders to account as they attempt to tackle the most critical issues facing residents.
'In fact, Los Angeles is fast becoming a news desert, despite being home to nearly 13 million monthly digital newsreaders. Thousands of stories are going untold and countless perspectives aren't being represented by a media ecosystem that has lost touch with the people – especially as the city and state face unprecedented challenges and leadership vacuums.'
Papps, to be the new Los Angeles-based masthead's inaugural editor, is currently weekend editor of the Herald Sun.
News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller described Papps as a 'talented' editor.
'Nick has built a great editorial career since starting out as a cadet reporter in Adelaide in 1992, and he has excelled in senior reporting and editing assignments in multiple cities,' Mr Miller said.
'Importantly for his new role, one of those cities is LA, where Nick was a correspondent for our Australian mastheads from 2004 to 2006, so he is returning to a town he knows and loves.'
Herald Sun editor Sam Weir congratulated Papps.
'Nick has done a stellar job as weekend editor and played a vital role in making the Herald Sun the most-read masthead by Victorians across digital and print,' he said.
'Everyone in the newsroom wishes Nick all the success with this exciting opportunity'.
News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said the Californian market was currently 'starved' for serious reporting.
'Los Angeles and California surely need a daily dose of the Post as an antidote to the jaundiced, jaded journalism that has sadly proliferated,' Mr Thomson said.
'We are at a pivotal moment for the city and the state, and there is no doubt that the Post will play a crucial role in engaging and enlightening readers, who are starved of serious reporting and puckish wit.
'I am also pleased that (New York Post editor-in-chief) Keith Poole's remit is expanding, as he will now be responsible for covering not just New York, but California, the US, the world and, perhaps, Mars.'
The California Post will operate as a separate entity under the New York Post Media Group, a subsidiary of News Corp, publisher of The Australian.
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