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The not-so-underlying current swimming around Rupert Murdoch is that he'll transform the now-his Wall Street Journal from a stellar example of journalism to another of his playtoys.  That might very well turn out to be the case.

If that winds up being the case, if WSJ loses it's long-standing integrity, it'll be unfortunate for some of the men and women who gave their love and talent to their art.  But don't think, not even for a little bit, that this disruptive shake-up is anything close to a death knell for high journalistic standards in America.  Rupert Murdoch notwithstanding, the best will always find it's way out. This transaction has the potential to result in that shot in the arm the print media's been badly needing.  If Murdoch is true to form, and if the creative force at the Wall Street Journal is true to its art, there will need to be many introductions before there are any meetings of the minds.

Oh, I definitely think Murdoch will win the battle.  It would be naive to think otherwise.  But, contrary to the message his wealth might convey, the power is not in his hands.

Where is it?  It's in the hearts and minds of that WSJ creative force.  It's in the guts of those who won't be able to reconcile their integrity with Rupert Murdoch's brand of business.

Don't be surprised when we start to see great and new print media.  That trend will be part of the power.  And, while print will still be the favorite of many, expect to find a higher quality in our online media.  Again, the power.  Actually, it's a satisfying irony that Rupert Murdoch could very well be considered the man who saved print media because he couldn't kill it.

And why is this my belief?  Because those wonderful journalists who will refuse to compromise have this in their blood:

"Poor Richard, 1736
Loving Readers,
 . . . My Performance for this Year follows; it submits itself, kind Reader, to thy Censure, but hopes for thy Candor, to forgive its Faults. It devotes itself entirely to thy Service, and will serve thee faithfully: And if it has the good Fortune to please its Master, 'tis Gratification enough for the Labour of
Poor
R. SAUNDERS."

"Poor Richard, 1737
Courteous and kind Reader,
 . . . I must not omit here to thank the Publick for the gracious and kind Encouragement they have hitherto given me: But if the generous Purchaser of my Labours could see how often his Fi'-pence helps to light up the comfortable Fire, line the Pot, fill the Cup and make glad the Heart of a poor Man and an honest good old Woman, he would not think his Money ill laid out, tho' the Almanack of his
Friend and Servant R. SAUNDERS
were one half blank Paper."
--Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack 1733-1758