Murdoch lie about ‘hands off WSJ’ exposed

Marcus W. Brauchli is resigning as managing editor of the Wall Street Journal.

Why?

Reportedly, frustration over some of the changes Murdoch has made since acquiring the Journal, plus losing some control since the takeover.

And, (shock me), because Murdoch wants a quick payback on his purchase by lopping heads:

Journal newsroom employees say that Mr. Murdoch and the publisher he installed, Robert J. Thomson, have made it clear that they think the paper has too many editors, and have instructed Mr. Brauchli to thin the ranks, potentially making room in the headcount for more reporters. Two people briefed on Mr. Brauchli’s thinking said that had become a major point of contention.

Supposedly, he also doesn’t like Thompson looking over his shoulder as a “supereditor.” Well, since Thomson came from the Murdoch-decimated Times (of London), that’s probably not unexpected either.