Shenanigans by WSJ journalists ahead?

Hal Morris, writing on his Grumpy Editor blog, wonders whether News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch will face any sort of antics within The Wall Street Journal newsroom after he closes his deal to acquire its parent, Dow Jones & Co.

Morris wrote, “Withholding bylines to protest something is not exclusive to the Journal.  It’s a popular tactic used at other publications in recent years.  Some Journal staffers went that route for two days in June, 2004, to protest what they called management’s sub-par pay and benefits offers.

“Participating staffers feel not typing their names atop of their output will grab readers’ attention.  However, it’s ho-hum.  Other than their mothers and spouses, most readers don’t miss, or even observe, bylines on routine stories.

“A half century ago, reporters’ copy went to editors’ desks without bylines.  If the writers’ texts were outstanding or involved much spade work, editors penciled in writers’ names.  This procedure, also mirrored in photographers’ credit lines, was considered a reward for extra effort.”

Morris concluded, “With a surplus of news talent on the market, including those caught up in downsizing of publications, will Murdoch put up with such juvenile conduct?”

Read more here.