Daily Beast Expands with Tom Latchem as Lead Global Correspondent

Former News of the World TV editor Tom Latchem has officially joined The Daily Beast as its lead global correspondent. This appointment marks a significant step in the publication’s ongoing editorial expansion, led by Joanna Coles, chief content officer, and Ben Sherwood, chief executive. Both executives assumed their roles at the IAC-owned outlet in April 2024 and acquired minority stakes in the company.

Latchem is known for his impactful investigations, particularly his work with the Byline Times, where he delved into allegations against former GB News presenter Dan Wootton. During a part-time stint with The Daily Beast over the summer, he disclosed plans regarding the potential withdrawal of Covid vaccines from the U.S. market during the Trump administration.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Latchem expressed his enthusiasm for joining the publication. He noted that The Daily Beast is experiencing a surge in readership and profits. He described the organization as “a media organisation on the rise,” highlighting its recent global hiring spree and successful initiatives in broadcasting, including podcasts and a new partnership with Netflix. This partnership represents Netflix‘s initial foray into news documentaries, which aligns with Latchem’s background in journalism.

Latchem shared his thoughts on the publication’s unique style, stating, “The Beast’s cheeky but intelligent, non-partisan but not neutral ‘high-end’ independent tabloid journalism explores people, politics and power—embarrassing hypocrites and poking fun at ‘important’ people saying and doing daft things—without fear or favour.” He feels that this approach resonates with his career-long focus on journalism.

He also reflected on his journey back into full-time journalism, expressing pride in his achievements after years of freelancing, broadcasting, and public relations. “This feels like the culmination of all that hard and often not brilliantly paid work,” he remarked.

Under Coles’ leadership, The Daily Beast has reportedly seen an increase in referral traffic from platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. This growth indicates a positive trajectory for the publication as it continues to adapt and expand in the digital news landscape.

As The Daily Beast positions itself for further growth, the addition of experienced journalists like Latchem could enhance its reputation and reach in both political and pop culture arenas.