John Koblin of The New York Observer writes Wednesday about how the editorial oversight board designed to protect The Wall Street Journal from News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch is being questioned by the journalists it is supposed to protect as the deal to acquire parent company Dow Jones & Co. gets ready to close.
Koblin wrote, “Since the Bancrofts accepted Mr. Murdoch’s bid, the Journal newsroom has been dubious about the level of influence the board will exert.
“‘People think it’s a joke,’ said one reporter. ‘The only people who don’t think it’s a joke are the people who invented it.’
“‘We were never consulted on a new hire,’ added another. ‘Shouldn’t they be interested in what we have to say?’
“Asked if he thought the group would have any muscle, Mr. Boccardi said, ‘Talk to me in a year.'”
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