The news that Dow Jones & Co.’s controlling Bancroft family will consider selling the company, including to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., while not a surprise, is still a shock. Neither public company mentioned as a potential suitor mentioned in todays’ New York Times, General Electric Co. and News Corp., is a suitable owner, each for its own reasons. Closely held Bloomberg L.P. is problematic, at best. That Maurice R. Greenberg, former CEO of the most secretive of all public company giants, American International Group Inc., even deserves mention is an unfunny joke, for reasons I’ll get to if it ever becomes necessary. However, the Bancrofts’ stated commitment to DJ’s “editorial independence, integrity and journalistic freedom” should not to be taken lightly. Still, they’re in a tight spot.
The Kicker — June 1, 2007 10:13 AM
DJ’s unsuitable suitors
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