Murdoch's WSJ: More News, Less Business

Michael Learmonth | April 25, 2008 12:04 PM

murdoch.jpgKeep forgetting what paper you're reading when you crack the WSJ in the morning? It's not you. It really is different since Rupert Murdoch bought it last year.

How different? The Project on Excellence in Journalism took a tally since News Corp. (NWS) took over: Business coverage is down 50% (!) on the front page, while political and foreign news are way up. Since Dec. 13, the Journal has devoted almost as much front-page real estate to politics (18%) as the New York Times (26.5%).

A complete study of the transformation is available at journalism.org, but here's a handy pre- and post-Murdoch synopsis:

barchart2_0.jpg

Subscribe to SAI: RSS, email newsletter (no spam)

More:

Share:
Post to Del.icio.us


< Prev. Story
Next Story >

7 Comments

toby said:
would like to a comparison to other papers over the same time frame my guess is that most papers have covered substantially more political stories during this time
Michael Learmonth said:
No doubt that's true but the shift in the Journal is still striking.
Skeptic said:
Michael, think it's more evolutionary than a "striking" departure. I'd also like to see a more apt comparison between similar time frame in 2004?
John said:
Remember, Lou Dobbs also used to report on business...
Neek said:
What I would like to know is how this had impacted the readership in actual numbers, if it had increased or decreased circulation or overall satisfaction?
Fred Z said:
The WSJ goes from a shrill for CEOs to a shrill for Murdock. I always thought the WSJ was a joke for journalistic value, much less the editorials. Two words: Financial Times
jack said:
I love reading the editorial page everyday. To me, it's as funny as the comics.

There is no more bizarre more charicaturish (is that a word) parody of the right wing than that editorial page.

it's hilarious!

liberals and democrats once again destroyed 'murka by not supporting the ultra-right, capitalist/'murka-loving wing of the republican party and they're going to raise your taxes again and eat your first born and regulate your thoughts and tax your death and make you speak french!

it's true!

pure hilarity. always good for a 5 minute read and a nice chuckle everyday.

Join the discussion



Copyright © 2008 Silicon Alley Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.