Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires
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Page 210 Murdoch did not much like the Journal itself: Three former Journal editors and two current Journal editors, interview by author.
Page 210 Murdoch’s first editor . . . Marcus Brauchli: This account of Brauchli and his tenure at the newspaper is based on the author’s interviews with seven current and former Wall Street Journal editors and two former Journal executives.
Page 211 an innovation of the legendary Barney Kilgore: Tofel, Restless Genius, pp. 119–120; Barry Newman, “What Is an A-Hed?” Wall Street Journal, November 3, 2010.
Page 211 had little tolerance for the “paywall”: Senior Wall Street Journal editor; former Wall Street Journal editor, interview by author; Eric Pooley, “Exclusive: Rupert Murdoch Speaks,” Time, June 28, 2007.
Page 211 “as few words as possible”: Ellison, War, p. 188.
Page 212 “gestational period of a llama”: A senior Journal editor and a former Journal reporter, interview by author.
Page 212 Thomson saw . . . the Journal staff as complacent: This account of Thomson’s views on the newspaper is based on the author’s interviews with seven current and former Journal editors who worked for the newspaper during all or part of his tenure as managing editor.
Page 212 Thomson . . . showed verve as a rookie reporter: This characterization of Thomson’s background and career, up to and including the Journal, draws on interviews with three colleagues who worked closely with him at the Journal and the Times of London. Physical description of Thomson is informed by author’s personal observation. Also Mark Baker, “Rupert Has Got a Crush on You,” The Age, March 23, 2013.
Page 213 He called the deal a Faustian bargain: Ian Johnson, interview by author.
Page 213 campaigned with a small group of reporters: Richard Perez-Peña, “Murdoch’s Arrival Worries Journal Employees,” New York Times, July 19, 2007; two Wall Street Journal reporters, interview by author.
Page 213 the Special Committee . . . was to be constituted: Thomas Bray, interview by author.
Page 213 “Murdoch clearly has no intention”: E.S. Browning, interview by author.
Page 214 “felt like a cynical joke”: Former Journal reporter, interview by author.
Page 215 wanted to run the nation’s leading general interest newspaper: Five current and former Wall Street Journal editors, interview by author; Eric Pooley, “Excusive: Rupert Murdoch Speaks,” Time, June 28, 2007.
Page 215 the top-read story on the paper’s website: Senior Wall Street Journal news executive and public relations official for the newspaper, interviews by author.
Page 215 “The pace of news changed”: Wall Street Journal deputy editor in chief Rebecca Blumenstein, interview by author.
Page 215 the day after the Fort Hood shootings: Former Wall Street Journal executive, interview by author.
Page 215 “reflect Murdoch’s intentions”: Former Journal senior news executive William Grueskin, interview by author.
Page 216 “They don’t try to take you inside boardrooms”: Former senior Journal news executive, interview by author.
Page 216 “more good and less excellent”: Former Wall Street Journal executive, interview by author.
Page 216 began to ease up a bit: This description of Thomson and Murdoch’s shifts relies on author’s interviews with four Journal editors at the time.
Page 216 The biggest mistake one can make: Journal editor, interview by author.
Page 217 So, too, did Murdoch abandon plans to scrap the paywall: David Carr, “For Murdoch, It’s Try, Try Again,” New York Times, August 9, 2009.
Page 217 “Barack Hussein Obama”: Former senior Wall Street Journal editor, interview by author.
Page 218 Baker was British, charming, literate: Author’s observations supplemented by characterizations made by several senior Journal editors.
Page 218 his praise for Sarah Palin: Gerard Baker, “Go West, Towards the Future of Conservatism,” Times of London, September 5, 2008.
Page 218 believed the Journal was populated by liberals and leftists: Twelve current and former editors and reporters, including five to whom Thomson and Baker directly conveyed their thinking, interviews by author.
Page 219 that didn’t make it into the article: Former Journal reporter involved with that article, interview by author; Elizabeth Williamson et al., “Stimulus Confusion Frustrates Business,” Wall Street Journal, April 20, 2009.
Page 219 Times media critic David Carr cited concerns: David Carr, “Under Murdoch, Tilting Rightward at the Journal,” New York Times, December 13, 2009.
Page 219 “yet more evidence that the New York Times”: John Koblin, “Robert Thomson Takes Swing at David Carr, Bill Keller,” Observer, December 14, 2009.
Page 220 sexually ambiguous facial features: Jena Pincott, “Why Women Don’t Want Masculine Men,” Wall Street Journal, March 27, 2010; Michael Wolff, “Murdoch to Sulzberger: You Are a Girlie Man,” VanityFair.com, March 27, 2010; three senior Wall Street Journal journalists, interviews by author.
Page 220 Sulzberger complained about it directly: John Koblin, “Battle of the Barons!” Observer, April 14, 2010.
Page 220 “We’ve been vilified, unjustly so”: Scott Heekin-Canedy, interview by author.
Page 220 “a paper willing to do President Obama’s bidding”: Rupert Murdoch, remarks on the Kalb Report at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, April 6, 2010.
Page 220 skepticism . . . heightened rather than abated: This section is based on the author’s interviews with seven current and former reporters and editors for the Journal.
Page 221 “Robert just wants people”: Senior Journal editor, interview by author.
Page 221 “The Journal was nudged rightward”: Former Journal editor, interview by author.
Page 221 In a front-page story on February 23, 2011: Neil King Jr., “It’s Crunch Time for Organized Labor,” Wall Street Journal, February 23, 2011.
Page 222 “Six right-to-work states”: Reporter who covered related matters for the Journal at the time, interview by author.
Page 222 From another piece, a day later: Thomas M. Burton, Amy Merrick, and Douglas Belkin, “GOP Retreats on Indiana Labor Law,” Wall Street Journal, February 24, 2011; critique drawn from author’s interviews with several reporters for the newspaper.
Page 222 “It was often difficult to read between the lines”: Former Wall Street Journal reporter, interview by author.
Page 223 “‘Gerry would want to rework the story like this’”: A Wall Street Journal reporter who often covered politics, interview by author.
Page 223 Those polls aren’t reliably reflecting: Account of Baker’s exchanges with editors derived from author’s interview with two Journal editors and one reporter.
Page 224 Thomson took exception to a story: A reporter with contemporaneous knowledge about the story, interview by author.
Page 224 This completely leaves out the part: Three current or former reporters aware of episode contemporaneously, interviews by author.
Page 225 There was a lot of money at stake: Rachel Monahan, “Rupert Murdoch Given $27 Million No-Bid Contract From State Department of Education,” New York Daily News, July 31, 2011.
Page 225 Murdoch had pegged the possible marketplace: Calvin Reid, “News Corp’s Joel Klein Outlines Plans for Amplify Education Unit,” Publishers Weekly, December 5, 2012.
Chapter 18
Page 226 The patriarch telephoned the paper’s London bureau chief: Bruce Orwall, “In Interview, Murdoch Defends News Corp,” Wall Street Journal, July 14, 2011; Bruce Orwall et al., “Murdoch Defiant as FBI Acts—U.S. to Probe 9/11 Claim; News Corp CEO to Face U.K. Panel,” Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2011.
Page 227 what he called the “Fox-ification” of the Journal: Joe Nocera, “The Journal Becomes Fox-ified,” New York Times, July 15, 2011. Nocera’s earlier, pro-Murdoch column: “Promises and Desires,” New York Times, June 2, 2007.
Page 227 privately considered Nocera’s column terribly unfair: One former edit
or, two current editors, and one reporter still at the paper, interviews by author.
Page 228 The allegation . . . was particularly nettlesome: Two senior editors, two former senior editors, and four reporters for the Journal, interview by author.
Page 228 “anxious what it might mean”: Former Journal deputy managing editor Alan Murray, interviews by author.
Page 229 reads as though it had been carefully couched: Les Hinton, answers to questions from House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media, and Sports, September 15, 2009.
Page 229 In a blistering editorial: “News and Its Critics,” Wall Street Journal, July 18, 2011.
Page 229 the Times had published its own exposé: Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller, interviews by author.
Page 230 Gigot had also pledged to colleagues: Two former Journal editors, interviews by author.
Page 230 Farhi . . . raised the specter of media bias: Paul Farhi, “Murdoch, Rivals Alike Face Questions About Coverage of Hacking Scandal,” Washington Post, July 17, 2011.
Page 230 the Times of London . . . struck a tone of remorse: See, for example, “Tuesday’s Test: Rupert and James Murdoch Are Right to Give Evidence to Parliament, for the Press Must Be Accountable,” editorial, Times of London, July 15, 2011. The piece begins with the memorable line: “The ‘Dear John’ letters sent to Parliament by Rupert and James Murdoch yesterday were a serious mistake.”
Page 230 the committee published a statement: “What About the Journal? A Report from the Special Committee,” Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2011.
Page 231 did not reflect life as it was experienced: This passage is based on the author’s interviews with four Wall Street Journal staffers.
Page 231 investigative reporter Steve Stecklow uncovered a dissonance: Steve Stecklow et al., “Tabloid’s Pursuit of Missing Girl Led to Its Own Demise Years Later,” Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2011.
Page 231 thought it was a barn-burner: This passage on the Journal’s Milly Dowler voice mail story is based on author’s interviews with five current and former Wall Street Journal journalists with knowledge of events as they unfolded.
Page 232 Orwall had edited the front-page story: John Lippman, Leslie Chang, and Robert Frank, “Rupert Murdoch’s Wife Wendi Wields Influence at News Corp,” Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2000.
Page 232 Orwall could be seen holed up in his office: One current and one former Wall Street Journal journalist, interviews by author.
Page 233 “the process was so painful”: Wall Street Journal journalist with involvement in these events, interview by author.
Page 233 Stuart Varney gamely and vainly tried: Rupert Murdoch and Stuart Varney, Varney & Co., July 9, 2009.
Page 233 he had been failed by people: Rupert Murdoch, testimony before Select Committee on Culture, Media, and Sport, July 19, 2011.
Page 234 The law firm’s presence was triggered by Goodman’s complaint: As reproduced in the Independent, “Full Text of Clive Goodman’s Letter to News International,” August 16, 2011.
Page 234 sleight of hand in the corporation’s public reliance: Paul Sonne, Jeanne Whalen, and Bruce Orwall, “New Issues Emerge for News Corp. in Britain,” Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2011.
Page 234 [Ingrassia] recused himself from all coverage: Author’s email exchange with New York Times spokeswoman Eileen Murphy.
Chapter 19
Page 236 prepared to take their case public: Tom Crone, letter to John Whittingdale MP, chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media, and Sport, August 6, 2011; Colin Myler, letter to Whittingdale, August 10, 2011. Both letters are included in News International and Phone-Hacking, April 30, 2012, the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee’s eleventh report.
Page 237 The younger generation’s efforts to work in unison: Author’s interviews with two former News Corp officials and a confidant of one of the adult Murdoch children; Sarah Ellison, “The Rules of Succession,” Vanity Fair, December 1, 2011.
Page 237 James and Rebekah fucked the company: Michael Wolff, tweet, as cited in Jamie Doward and Lisa O’Connell, “Murdochs in ‘Family Fallout’ over Crisis,” Guardian, July 16, 2011.
Page 237 James remained hidden from view: News Corp earnings call, August 11, 2011, http://seekingalpha.com/article/286535-news-management-discusses-q4–2011-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single.
Page 238 “that’s a matter of real regret”: James Murdoch, interview by Tom Bradbury, July 8, 2011.
Page 238 In one sign among many: Sharon Otterman, “Subsidiary of News Corp Loses Deal for State,” New York Times, August 29, 2011.
Page 238 Chapman . . . cited a “feeling of family compassion”: Jonathan Chapman, testimony to CMS, September 6, 2011.
Page 238 As Crone and Myler addressed the committee: Tom Crone and Colin Myler, testimony to CMS, September 6, 2011.
Page 240 “given Mr. Murdoch’s board an F”: Neal Minow, interview by author.
Page 240 “If you had this happen in a normal company”: Laura Martin, interview by author.
Page 240 confidence laced with bravado: Rupert Murdoch, address to News Corp annual shareholders meeting, Fox Studios, Los Angeles, October 21, 2011. Subsequent quotations and exchanges with shareholders at the meeting taken from same event.
Page 241 “I think I’ve got a duty”: Tom Watson MP, interview by author.
Page 241 board members found it difficult to distinguish: Two former News Corp executives, interviews by author.
Page 241 The day proved arduous: Amy Chozick and Michael J. De La Merced, “Murdoch’s Sons Rebuked by News Corp. Shareholders,” New York Times, October 24, 2011.
Page 242 was James Murdoch a fool or a knave? James Murdoch, testimony to CMS, November 11, 2011. Murdoch’s remarks to MPs are drawn from that session as well.
Page 244 The public learned of the private eyes: Louise Mensch MP, remarks during James Murdoch testimony; Crone, letter to Whittingdale, December 1, 2011; author’s interview with Lewis.
Page 244 the identity of an anonymous police blogger: Ben Webster, “The Times and the Nightjack Case,” Times of London, January 19, 2012; David Allen Green, “Why the Hacking of NightJack Matters,” New Statesman, January 20, 2012.
Page 244 the Sunday Times acknowledged . . . “blagging”: John Witherow, testimony at Leveson Inquiry, January 17, 2012; “Leveson Inquiry: The Sunday Times ‘Blagged Gordon Brown,’” Telegraph, January 17, 2012.
Page 244 In the middle of February: David Batty, “Senior Sun Journalists Arrested in Police Payments Probe,” Guardian, February 11, 2012.
Page 245 Rupert Murdoch returned to London: “Rupert Murdoch Says Sun on Sunday ‘to Launch Soon’ and Lifts Suspensions,” Sun, February 20, 2012.
Page 245 “a network of corrupted officials”: Deputy assistant police commissioner Sue Akers, testimony to Leveson Inquiry, February 27, 2012.
Chapter 20
Page 246 fancy, high-powered dinners: Former Fox News executive, interview by author.
Page 247 He turned to Francisco Cortes for help: Francisco Cortes, interview by author; David Folkenflik, “How Fox Pioneered a Formula for Latino News,” All Things Considered, August 8, 2012. Additional background drawn from Eliza Gray, “Roger Ailes’ Border War,” New Republic, February 11, 2013.
Page 247 accounted for more than half of the country’s population growth: Sharon R. Ennis, Merays Rios-Vargas, and Nora G. Albert, “The Hispanic Population: 2010,” part of US Census Bureau report, “2010 Census Briefs,” May 2011, www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf.
Page 248 a poll on Latino views: Carolyn Salazar, “Almost Half of Latino Voters Find ‘Illegal Immigrant’ Offensive, Says Poll,” Fox News Latino, March 8, 2012.
Page 248 “Eighty-five percent support undocumented workers”: Bryan Llenas, interview by Rick Folbaum, Fox News Live, March 9, 2012.
Page 248 The chairman had always minted the stars: The background on Be
ck’s tenure at Fox News is informed by author’s interviews with Glenn Beck, Bill Shine, and several other journalists at the network.
Page 249 Ailes took steps to remove Beck: The depiction of Beck’s departure is based on the author’s interviews with two Fox News executives, one Ailes associate, and two Beck associates.
Page 249 A carefully orchestrated joint interview: David Bauder, “Fox News Channel Ending Glenn Beck’s Daily Show Later This Year,” Associated Press, April 6, 2011.
Page 249 flashes of his trademark humor: Beck, April 6, 2011.
Page 249 a deranged business genius: Author’s interviews with a current Fox News executive, a former Fox News producer, and a former Fox executive.
Page 250 Ailes was paid: Compensation figures for Roger Ailes taken from News Corp’s “Form 10-Q Quarterly Report,” filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2009.
Page 250 still just a hired hand: Author’s interviews with four people to whom Ailes expressed this sentiment.
Page 251 she told Petraeus she had a message: This remarkable exchange was captured and posted online by the Washington Post. Material in this passage is drawn from Bob Woodward, “Fox News Chief’s Failed Attempt to Enlist Petraeus as Presidential Candidate,” Washington Post, December 3, 2012; “Transcript: Kathleen T. McFarland Talks with Gen. David Petraeus,” Washington Post, December 3, 2012.
Page 251 The Republican field needs shaking up: Ailes shared his thinking about the presidential field with Howard Kurtz, “Secret Tape: Ailes Tried to Entice Petraeus to Run,” Daily Beast, December 4, 2012.
Page 252 Romney did no interviews: List of Romney media appearances and interviews between October 11 and November 11, 2011, provided to author by Romney campaign.