At least 60 WSJ reporters send letters to Bancrofts

Michael Calderone of the New York Observer writes Wednesday that at least 60 journalists from the Wall Street Journal have sent letters to Bancroft family members asking them to oppose the sale of its parent, Dow Jones & Co., to News Corp.

Calderone wrote, “While there is no letter written specifically on behalf of Pulitzer Prize winners—as reported on DealBreaker.com—according to more than a half-dozen Journal sources, a couple of recent winners have taken part in the general campaign to offer support for the family.

“Both James Bandler and Charles Forelle, who were part of the team that won the recent Public Service award for their coverage of backdated stock options, have signed on—along with six others in the Boston bureau. That also includes deputy bureau chief Dan Golden.

“Down in D.C., the number’s higher: 23 staffers have signed two group letters sent out on May 3 and 4.

“‘[I]t’s no secret that we in the newsroom believe that the end of an independent Dow Jones would be an irreplaceable loss to our profession, and our country,’ read part of the two-paragraph letter.

“Columnist and television pundit John Harwood and Supreme Court reporter Jess Braven are among the D.C. contingent.”

Read more here. Meanwhile, Felix Gilette of the Observer has come up with a Bancroft Family Scratch ‘N Win game for Murdoch based on wedding announcements, obituaries and conversations with people who know parts of the family.