Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

Continuing Coverage of the Dow Jones Story

This isn't the first, neither will it be the last time we hear people talk about their preference in who buys Dow Jones (DJ).

It's not surprising to hear one of the major shareholders James Ottaway Jr., who has 6.2 percent of the voting rights in Dow Jones & Co., say that he would prefer General Electric (GE) and Pearson Plc as owners.

From the beginning Ottoway has pressured the Bancroft family to not accept the bid by Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. (NWS-A), citing the "wearying" phrase of editorial independence.

In an email communication, Ottaway wrote, "If the Bancroft family has decided to sell or bring in partners, GE and Pearson would be much better owners and/or partners than News Corp."

Ottaway also said in May that an oversight board doesn't satisfy his concerns for the company.

The Bancrofts have also hesitated over their concerns that Murdoch will use it to promote his business, as one writer says. Of course he's going to use it to promote his business; what else does the company exist for, if not to be a business? Anybody that buys it will attempt to use it for business purposes.

When it comes right down to it, Dow Jones hasn't been that well run, and its flagship publication The Wall Street Journal lost 12 percent in advertising sales last year alone.

Maybe instead of hyperventilating over editorial independence, they need to work on it being a better business. You'd think a business that writes about business would make that it's first priority.

Related Coverage:

General Electric, Pearson PLC Consortium to Buy Dow Jones Already Under Fire

Bancrofts Said to be Readying Proposal for Special Board

Another Dow Jones Suitor Bites the Dust

More Suitors for Dow Jones than Men Saying They were Father of Anna Nicole Smith's Baby

Brian Tierney Interested in Dow Jones

Union for Dow Jones Employees Claims Ron Burkle Joined Them to Battle Rupert Murdoch

Journalists Threaten to Walk Out if Murdoch Gets Dow Jones: Who Cares?

Remember to Sign up for my feed, bizzbite and digg this!