Journalism's defeat?

I was saddened by the news that Rupert Murdoch has been guaranteed the purchase of the Dow Jones and Co, which means he effectively owns The Wallstreet Journal.

Murdoch, who owns the right-leaning Fox News, is well-known for pitching stories that favor his political or financial interests. The thought of him using The Wallstreet Journal for his own nefarious gain makes my journalist stomach turn. Apparently I wasn't the only one.

A union representing Journal reporters and other Dow Jones employees has objected to Murdoch's bid, saying he would downgrade the quality of the paper's coverage and tilt its stories to suit his business interests

I have been unsatisfied with the media coverage for so long, I don't know why I'm further disappointed by this news now. Even the hint of balanced coverage and journalistic ethics seems fleeting and rare in any media outlets. I guess it's the object of his desire that upsets me. It's The Wallstreet Journal ... the mythical, greek God of newspapers, where only the best are invited and the rest have to watch from the sidelines.

Coincidentally, this was one of the top five stories on the U.S. News and World Report Web site, right next to the exit of the Sunni bloc from the Iraq government and the news that Nicole Ritchie is indeed pregnant and not growing a tumor, as I had hoped. At least now maybe she'll eat something once and a while.