Miami Herald Publisher Stepping Down

David Lawrence Jr. is stepping down after nine years as publisher of the Miami Herald, Knight Ridder’s flagship newspaper, to be replaced by Alberto Ibarguen, publisher of El Nuevo Herald, the company said. Lawrence will remain as chairman of the Miami Herald Publishing Co. through the end of the year. Under Lawrence’s leadership, the Herald won four Pulitzer Prizes but is in the midst of what Lawrence called “a reexamination.” The newspaper has been one of Knight Ridder’s poorest advertising performers in recent months, and its circulation has declined in the last year. Knight Ridder Chairman Tony Ridder called Lawrence’s decision “unwelcome news.” Knight Ridder, the nation’s second-largest newspaper publisher, is in the process of moving its headquarters from Miami to San Jose. The move has been interpreted by some civic leaders as a reflection of the paper’s waning influence within the corporation. On the NYSE, Knight Ridder shares fell $2.13 to close at $49.44.