Rupert Murdoch and the Future of Journalism
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Would Rupert Murdoch bring tabloid journalism to the Wall Street Journal? Would he sacrifice its credibility to his own financial and political interests? We consider those questions and others about the takeover bid that has the journalism and business worlds in an uproar. Also, President Bush vetoes another stem-cell bill and, on Reporter's Notebook, is the Mayor of New York looking toward the White House? Could an Independent candidacy succeed?
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Making News
Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Bill ()
President Bush has cast only two vetoes during his presidency, one of them against stem-cell research. Today he will veto another stem-cell bill, as he signs an executive order promoting alternative scientific inquiry that could sidestep ethical issues. Sheryl Gay Stolberg is at the White House for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Sheryl Gay Stolberg: White House Reporter for the New York Times, @sherylstolberg
Main Topic
Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal ()
Will the Wall Street Journal fall into the hands of a "power-mad, rapacious right-wing vulgarian?" That's how The Atlantic magazine says many people view Rupert Murdoch, whose bid for Dow Jones, including the Wall Street Journal, was a shot heard around the worlds of American business, international finance and journalism. After what Murdoch's done with Fox News, the New York Post and other properties, at least some conservatives are rubbing their hands. The Journal's own reporters are among those pleading with other billionaires to make a competing offer. What does Murdoch want? What would his takeover mean for coverage of corporate America and stories like the rising power of China?
Guests:
- E.S. "Jim" Browning: Stock Market Reporter, Wall Street Journal, @WSJ
- Peter Robinson: Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution
- Joseph Menn: Staff writer for the Los Angeles Times
- Joe Conason: Columnist for the New York Observer and Salon
- Seth Faison: Former reporter for South China Morning Post
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Michael Bloomberg for President? ()
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was on the cover of Time this week with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who wants to be "post-partisan." Yesterday, Bloomberg announced he's leaving the GOP to become officially Independent. Despite the Mayor's public comment that he had no plan to run for the White House, it's widely reported that his aides are working behind the scenes to explore the mechanics of an Independent presidential campaign. He's got the money. Does he have the time? Ron Brownstein is national affairs columnist for the Los Angeles Times and political analyst for CNN.
Guests:
- Ron Brownstein: National Political Reporter for the Los Angeles Times, @RonBrownstein
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