Press: Newsweek's Outsider Bows Out

And an insider steps up as its sixth top editor since 1972

When William Broyles took over as editor in chief of Newsweek in September 1982, the choice was widely seen as quirky. He had run successful magazines, Texas Monthly and California, but had almost no background in news coverage. Yet there was a bold rationale to the move: Broyles, with no ties to the magazine's past, would not feel hidebound by its traditions. A Texan, he would bring a heartland perspective to a magazine perhaps oriented too much toward New York City and Washington. While others were caught up in day-to-day reportage of events, he could develop long-term projects. Said Newsweek's owner, Katharine Graham: "He will add a whole new dimension."

From the start, however, Broyles' tenure was troubled. He not only remained the outsider, but was sharply criticized by some of his staff for concentrating on features that resembled pop sociology, and by others for failing to take charge on breaking news stories. Said one Newsweek Washington correspondent: "No one got a clear idea of the direction in which he wanted to take the magazine." Rumors floated repeatedly that he was about to quit. Last week, at what was scheduled to be a routine story conference, Broyles, 39, proved the speculation true by announcing his resignation. He plans to write about his experiences as a Marine lieutenant in Viet Nam in 1969-70. Said Broyles: "I do not want to edit any more."

To replace him, Graham chose Executive Editor Richard Smith, 37, who joined Newsweek in 1970; it has been his only employer. A former writer and reporter who specialized in international coverage. Smith has edited the magazine's international editions for the past year.

Smith will be Newsweek's sixth top editor since 1972. During that time, the magazine, which is a subsidiary of the Washington Post Co., has also had seven presidents. At the publication's 50th anniversary party last February, Humorist Art Buchwald cracked that Broyles was "the editor of the month." One major reason for the frequent turnover, according to company executives, is Graham's dissatisfaction with the pace of Newsweek's efforts to catch up with TIME. Although advertising increased under Broyles, Newsweek's share of the total ad revenue for all U.S. magazines dropped during the first eleven months of 1983 from 5.7% to 5.6%, while TIME'S rose from 7.5% to 7.6%. From mid-1982 to mid-1983, Newsweek's U.S. circulation edged up by about 22,000, to 3.02 million; TIME'S rose 164,000, to 4.7 million. There have been persistent rumors, firmly denied by Graham, that the magazine might be up for sale.

The rise of the well-regarded Smith was a setback to another insider, Editor Maynard Parker, 43, who as Broyles' deputy was making the week-to-week decisions much of the time. Smith is expected to be a hands-on editor, probably diminishing Parker's role. The two men are close friends, however, and Parker said last week, "I intend to soldier on."