The Journal Becomes Fox-ified

FOX-IFICATION: Joe Nocera, in his New York Times op-ed column, has slammed the Murdoch empire for coverage of the phone-hacking scandal; asserting, also, that the Wall Street Journal, which Murdoch purchased just over three years ago, has become 'fox-ified'.

The political articles grew more and more slanted toward the Republican party line. The Journal sometimes took to using the word “Democrat” as an adjective instead of a noun, a usage favored by the right wing. In her book, “War at The Wall Street Journal,” Sarah Ellison recounts how editors inserted the phrase “assault on business” in an article about corporate taxes under President Obama. The Journal was turned into a propaganda vehicle for its owner’s conservative views. That’s half the definition of Fox-ification.

Interesting idea, but poorly evidenced by Nocera. If the insertion of an extra adjective - even one usually a penchant of the right - and three words in one article is proof of a conservative conspiracy, then why stop at the Journal? Although, with regard to the claim that the paper's coverage of the hacking scandal has been hamstrung, I would agree to some degree. In saying that, though, it's important to note that the US media was never that big on world affairs to begin with.

ALSO: Michael Wolff asks, "Will the Guardian bring down Rupert Murdoch?" Probably not. But this man would know -- he wrote an excellent book on the man. Recommended.