MediaBuyerPlanner: Media professionals are wondering just how hands-off Rupert Murdoch will be once he gets his hands on Dow Jones & Co. But there are early signs that he might like to get involved. According to sources, he has called at least three reporters who were considering leaving the Dow Jones newspaper The Wall Street Journal and asked them to remain with the paper.
Some at the Journal take this as a sign that Murdoch is committed to keeping the editorial quality at the paper high, while others say it shows nothing more than the fact that Murdoch wants his fingers in the pie, writes the Los Angeles Times.
Two of the reporters were considering job offers with The New York Times, while the third was considering a job with the Financial Times. Murdoch, who made the calls from his yacht, told the reporters it would be a mistake to leave and that positive changes were coming. Of the three, one has decided to leave, one has decided to stay (claiming the decision was made before Murdoch’s call) and one is still undecided.
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- Dow Jones Advisors, News Corp. Hammering out WSJ Independence
- Murdoch Acquisition of Dow Jones Could Threaten CNBC, Reuters
