Steiger still in charge of WSJ coverage of News Corp. offer

Michael Calderone of The New York Observer writes Tuesday that former Wall Street Journal managing editor Paul Steiger remains in charge of the paper’s coverage of News Corp.’s attempts to purchase its parent, Dow Jones & Co.

This is despite the fact that Steiger was named by News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch as being a potential candidate for its board.

Calderone wrote, “Nevertheless, Mr. Steiger still maintains that role, according to one Journal staffer, who also noted that Mr. Steiger is currently traveling out of the country.

“But now, with Mr. Murdoch dangling a News Corp. board seat out there, has Mr. Steiger recused himself from the story?

“So far, Mr. Brauchli, Mr. Steiger, and media editor Rich Turner have not returned calls and emails seeking comment. We’ll update accordingly.

“UPDATE: Mr. Brauchli emails The Observer: ‘I don’t think Paul has to recuse himself if someone is talking about him, or even if someone is publicly musing about putting him in a job. It’s all speculative as of now.'”

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