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Journal Staff Uneasy as Murdoch Era Rolls On

Some worry paper will lose its business edge

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2008 10:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – Tensions are running high in the Wall Street Journal’s newsroom, the New Republic reports, as staffers wonder just where this Murdoch thing is going. Managing editor Marcus Brauchli’s resignation still hangs heavy in the air. Murdoch pushed Brauchli to resign, and paid him millions to sign a non-disclosure agreement. “We're a business newspaper, so we know a sell-out when we see one,” one angry staffer said.

With Brauchli gone, questions have intensified about Murdoch’s plan to turn the paper into a New York Times rival. Staffers worry they’ll lose their financial reporting edge or beloved first-page features. Big editor layoffs are rumored. As Murdoch met with the newsroom last week, “the only question people were really interested in is, 'What the f*** is going on?'” one staffer said.  

Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corp, addresses a crowded Wall Street Journal newsroom on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in New York.
Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corp, addresses a crowded Wall Street Journal newsroom on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Copies of the Wall Street Journal are sorted at a printing press in London, in the early hours of Wednesday April 16, 2008.
Copies of the Wall Street Journal are sorted at a printing press in London, in the early hours of Wednesday April 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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