Former WSJ ME Steiger: No sign of bad Rupert yet

Jeff Bercovici of Conde Nast Portfolio reports that former Wall Street Journal managing editor Paul Steiger spoke last night at a Northwestern University function and said he hasn’t seen new owner Rupert Murdoch hurt the paper.

Bercovici wrote, “‘I see no evidence, nor do my friends there report any evidence, of the bad Rupert showing up, trying to move the coverage in a way that advances his business interests. So, to me, my fears haven’t been realized.’

“In fact, Steiger saluted Murdoch for reaching into his pocket to expand the newshole and make other costly investments. ‘I know something about the economics of that paper. It is not making money. He is pouring money into that paper to try and upgrade it.’

“Steiger wasn’t completely without criticisms to offer, saying, ‘Page one is a work in progress. They’re still figuring out what sort of mix they want it to be.'”

Read more here.