Friday rants: $25,000 acquisitions; 100 days too long; Dow Jones and Rupe

Oh, come *on*...: I appreciate a good rant as much as the next guy, but on two of these points I think you're really off-base.

First, there's the TechCrunch story. Yes, it's a pocket-cash deal, but what was the alternative? I mean, they reported on the company, and then bought it. If they *hadn't* written about it, everyone would be accusing them of trying to hide something. (We're talking about the blogosphere here, and folks are quick to see sinister motives everywhere.) Besides, it *is* a blog, and talking up one's own company is generally fair game. Anyone who thinks that TechCrunch is completely disinterested and never talks about itself isn't paying attention. Given their pretty explicit intent to keep talking about the service, it was appropriate -- almost necessary -- to admit that they had purchased it.

As for the WSJ, the editorial page isn't relevant -- everyone knows that their editorial side is just as right-wing as Murdoch himself. But the newspaper is historically good at keeping its editorial slant and its news reporting separate -- and Murdoch historically isn't. *That* is the story here, and the main point of concern. Murdoch has a history of promising non-interference on the news pages, and then breaking those promises when they affect his business. Many people are justifiably concerned that he'll do it again...; Posted by: jducoeur Posted on: 07/24/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Oh, come *on*... jducoeur | 07/24/07

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