Wall Street Journal Parody Rankles Murdoch

Cropped image from source, Huffington Post

Oh, poor baby! Rupert Murdoch is trying to suppress free speech? The hell you say! Parody is traditionally one of the easiest free speech issues to defend, so this publication will get out, beyond how much it already has. Murdoch would be much wiser to stay silent on this issue, as shining a spotlight on it will only increase interest.

[Excerpt]

Wall Street Journal Parody — With A Topless Ann Coulter — Rankles Murdoch In Real Life And On YouTube

My Wall Street Journal, a parody of the Wall Street Journal on newsstands this week to mark the April 15 tax deadline, has rankled News Corp executives so much that they're trying to make sure no one sees it. The New York Times' Richard Perez-Pena reports that a WSJ representative attempted to snatch up all the copies in the Los Angeles area, where they made public a bit ahead of schedule . . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Rupert Murdoch Wins: Wall Street Journal His

Another quickie before I have to go. One that gets me a little steamed. . .

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Dow Jones shareholders approve News Corp buyout

Dow Jones & Co Inc shareholders voted to approve a $5.6 billion buyout by News Corp on Thursday, giving Rupert Murdoch control of one of the world's most influential newspapers, the Wall Street Journal. . .

Shareholders controlling 60.27 percent of Dow Jones' voting power approved the deal, priced at $60 per share. . .

Read more at: Reuters

Rupert Murdoch Gets Wall Street Journal

I confess, stocks and bonds, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, bears and bulls. . .it's a foreign language to me. I've had smart people try to explain it to me, but I just don't understand it.

I don't have to be a financial genius to understand this one though: Rupert Murdoch owning the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones is a bad thing. This modern-day William Randolph Hearst (without the cool house and Hollywood mistress) tarnishes everything he touches. The New York Post was once a respected newspaper. Rupe's version is only slightly above the now defunct Weekly World News in credibility. FOX "News" is seen by most sane people to be barely more than a subsidiary of the Republican Party.

It doesn't bode well. And since I am out of my depth when it comes to the details of why this is bad for America (just a gut feeling, like Michael Chertoff), I'll give you a taste from somebody who knows.

[Excerpt]

Murdoch: Bad for Journalism, Bad for Democracy

Today's news that the Bancroft family has agreed to News Corp.'s $5 billion dollar buyout offer for Dow Jones, is a powerful reminder of how media consolidation is constantly eroding the foundational structures of our democracy.

America's founders understood that a truly free press -- enlivened by diverse perspectives and beholden to the public interest -- is the keystone to a flourishing democracy. With the purchase of the Dow Jones Co. and its flagship Wall Street Journal another vital voice is brought under the umbrella of one conglomerate -- and one man -- that already controls too much of what Americans see, hear and read every day.

When is Enough, Enough? Since Rupert Murdoch's offer was made public, volumes have been written on what this historic deal might mean to journalism in America. A fair bit of the criticism and concern surrounding News Corp.'s bid for Dow Jones has focused on Murdoch himself and his well-documented penchant for employing his media outlets to advance his personal and business interests.

Read more at: HuffingtonPost.com

Rupert Murdoch buys Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal

Original photo from dKosopedia.com

Oh, jeez. I was really hoping this wouldn't happen. The FOX-ification of the media is damned near complete now, isn't it?


[Excerpt]

Rupert Murdoch buys Dow Jones, owners of the Wall Street Journal

Rupert Murdoch has succeeded with his $5 billion bid for Dow Jones, owners of the Wall Street Journal, according to sources acting for the Dow Jones board. Negotiations on price and matters of principle have been completed, though some details remain to be resolved. None is regarded by either side as a deal-breaker.The Dow board is confident that the terms of the deal will be accepted by the Bancroft family, which controls a majority of voting shares in Dow Jones, over the next few working days. A formal announcement is expected next week.

Read more at: The Business

UPDATE: Then again, maybe not:

Dow Jones denies it's forged News Corp. deal

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