NYT on empire-building Murdoch

Today's four-bylined story comes just as reports on the talks between Murdoch and Bancroft family and Dow Jones advisors may be closing in on a deal.

Murdoch's vast media holdings give him a gamut of tools — not just campaign contributions, but also jobs for former government officials and media exposure that promotes allies while attacking adversaries, sometimes viciously — all of which he has used to further his financial interests and establish his legitimacy in the United States, interviews and government records show.

Too bad the gamut of tools at his disposal aren't used for fair and balanced news and information gathering and delivery that truely serves the community and common good rather than simply to promote his agenda and expansion of his personal empire. Readers and employees should hope another valid offer comes along mighty quickly.