The talks between Murdochs and Bancrofts on Monday were "constructive,"
we’re told. More than four hours long, they centered on the question of the
Wall Street Journal’s editorial independence, and whether Murdoch could guarantee
it:
Chief among the family’s concerns is how the independent board, proposed
by Mr. Murdoch, would be structured. Under one scenario that has been discussed
by family members, the editorial ranks of the company would report up through
a separate structure outside News Corp., said another person close to the
family. The Bancrofts, who control 64% of the voting rights of Dow Jones,
want to ensure that any structure would be strong enough to stand up through
the next generation of News Corp.’s management, according to people close
to the family.
I do think the acquisition will be good for the Journal, and I also think that
the Bancroft’s are going to simply have to take Murdoch’s word that he won’t
interfere with the editorial side of the newspaper. The fact is that, post-acquisition,
the Journal will be a tiny part of a huge publicly-owned international media
conglomerate.
I’m sure that the Murdochs, both Rupert and James, would love nothing more
than to enshrine some kind of Marty Lipton poison pill in News Corp’s structure,
claiming that it’s the only way to get Dow Jones. (Lipton, the inventor of the
poison pill, is the Bancrofts’ lawyer.) Since buying back John Malone’s stake
in News Corp, Rupert Murdoch’s control of News Corp is stronger than ever –
but he knows that won’t necessarily last, especially when he dies and his stake
is divvied up between his six children.
But realistically, nothing that the Murdochs and the Bancrofts sign can provide
a watertight guarantee that News Corp won’t be able to interfere with its property
should it put its mind to it. Josh Chaffin and Aline van Duyn get
to the heart of the matter:
The question then is how enforceable any structure would be, especially in
light of the unclear succession at News Corp, a further issue of concern given
that Mr Murdoch is 76 years old.
“It’s a very difficult kind thing to actually put in writing,”
said Amy Mitchell, deputy director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism.
“So much of it has to do with the rapport and understanding.”
That’s why the meeting lasted more than four hours: the single most important
thing at this point is for the Murdochs to persuade the Bancrofts that they
can be trusted with their beloved newspaper. It won’t be easy, but $5 billion
does have a way of soothing worries somewhat.