So Rupert Murdoch has got his hands on Dow Jones after a few months of negotiations. However, not everyone is convinced Big Rupe will be able to resist using his considerable influence on the editors and journalists of the Wall Street Journal, which he will soon own, to advance his other commercial interests.
Some Bancroft family members were fearful that Mr Murdoch would destroy the Journal’s editorial independence, but he conceded to establishing an editorial oversight board if he won control of Dow Jones in a bid to appease such opposition.
Dow Jones reporters and a union representing its reporters also said that Mr Murdoch would use the Journal to promote his wider commercial interests if he succeeded in taking over the prestigious business paper.
Just look at the online front page of The Australian today. A large picture – unusually prominent in the left-hand column – of Rupert Murdoch. Lead story: News Corp clinches Dow Jones deal. Top business story: News Corp clinches Dow Jones deal. Top media story: News Corp clinches Dow Jones deal. Top opinion piece: John Durie, Dow deal a personal coup.
You can’t imagine where they might have got that idea.