The problem in the Microsoft/Yahoo coverage

TheStreet.com media critic Marek Fuchs writes Monday that the business media are misplaying Microsoft’s offer to acquire Yahoo by treating the Internet company like an equal to its suitor.

Fuchs writes, “But the ‘we are poised for a terrific fight’ articles we read this weekend were built on a far catchier story line than ‘the messy end game has begun.’ Catchy, of course, does not mean accurate. Yahoo! should not, as this morning’s letter seems to all but allow, be portrayed as a company that has several means of escape here. Notice how it effectively begins and ends with a coded plea for those few more bucks?

“The business media paid that no never mind though, opting instead to set up a battle of the titans — with the same-sized battle axe.

“‘Yahoo Is Said to Rebuff Threat Over Bid,’ says The New York Times this morning, anticipating this morning’s letter while giving the fightin’ words too much credence.”

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