Murdoch Says He's Flexible, Up to a Point Jousting over editorial independence may derail Dow Jones deal By Sam Gale Rosen Posted Jun 4, 2007 8:29 AM CDT Copied Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal, is now firmly in play, even after the controlling Bancroft family turned thumbs down to a $5 billion bid from Rupert Murdoch. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file) (Associated Press) Rupert Murdoch has renewed his vow to maintain the Wall Street Journal's editorial independence should his bid for Dow Jones succeed, but it's unlikely he'll allow the controlling Bancroft family to run an editorial oversight board. That sticking point could be a deal-breaker, the Journal reported hours before today's scheduled meeting between the parties. "I can't put down $5 billion of my shareholders' money and not be able to run the business," said Murdoch, who will join his son James in meeting with three Bancroft family members. The board Murdoch created after buying the Times of London in 1981 has drawn fire for not reining him in; other arrangements and restrictions are under consideration. Read These Next Trump, Johnson aren't happy with pick for Super Bowl headliner. It's being called a disturbing trend: paragliders with bombs. Feds cite ChatGPT evidence in arrest of Palisades Fire suspect. Felix Baumgartner's death attributed to his own error. Report an error