Los Angeles- The Tribune Co. forced out Los Angeles Times Publisher Jeffrey M. Johnson [pictured] this morning, a little more than a month after he defied the media conglomerate’s demands for staff cuts that he suggested could damage the newspaper.

Tribune Publishing President Scott C. Smith huddled with top managers at the newspaper this morning and announced that David Hiller, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, would immediately replace Johnson as chief executive at the 125-year-old newspaper. Hiller is the 12th publisher of The Times.

“After a thorough review, Jeff and I agreed that he should resign at this time,” Smith said in a statement. “We do agree on many priorities to best serve our customers, communities and shareholders. The Times’ has also made great progress on many fronts in the face of intense marketplace challenges. However, this leadership change is necessary because of important differences on how best to shape our future.”

Hiller was expected to ask Times Editor Dean Baquet to stay on the job, despite the editor’s sharp protests against further job cuts by the Chicago-based parent corporation. Friends of Baquet said the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist had not yet decided to remain with the paper.

In an e-mail to The Times staff this morning Hiller said: “I read and love newspapers and have the highest regard for the Los Angeles Times, its great journalism and the special role it plays in Southern California.

“I believe in the future of newspapers as the most trusted source of news and information in the communities we serve. To achieve that future we have to continue to change because our readers, online users and advertising customers continue to change.”

Hiller, a nearly 20-year-long company veteran, has served as publisher of the Chicago Tribune since November 2004. He was previously senior vice president of Tribune Publishing and also served as president of Tribune Interactive.

The Harvard Law School graduate has also served as Tribune Co.’s general counsel and, before joining the company, worked in private law firms and as a special assistant to U.S. Atty. Gen. William French Smith.

Late last month, Tribune announced that it would entertain offers to sell the company or break it into pieces. The company’s board agreed to study the possible sale or breakup of the media company, which owns the Chicago Tribune, KTLA-TV Channel 5, baseball’s Chicago Cubs and other TV stations and newspapers.

The turmoil at Tribune’s largest property comes at a time of marked uncertainty for many media companies, which have seen their audiences and advertising revenues declining with competition from the Internet and other news outlets