Murdoch-Bancroft Tea Party Report: Rupe Calls It ‘Constructive’

Not much hard news to come out of yesterday’s historic tea meeting between Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal-controlling Bancroft family. Rupe called it “long,” “constructive.” Murdoch still wants editorial control. Family dissidents could block any sale. Murdoch uses a Western grip on his umbrellas.

The Journal, though, ran its own “detailed examination” Murdoch-owned media outlets, making the well-worn case that Murdoch has his grippy hands in the editorial cookie jar:

A detailed examination of Mr. Murdoch’s half-century career as a journalist and businessman shows that his newspapers and other media outlets have made coverage decisions that advanced the interests of his sprawling media conglomerate, News Corp. In the process, Mr. Murdoch has blurred a line that exists at many other U.S. media companies between business and news sides — a line intended to keep the business and political interests of owners from influencing the presentation of news.

A Western grip, indeed.

EARLIER:

Murdoch, Bancrofts To Have Tea, Discuss $5B Sale Offer

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