There's been a good deal of speculation recently about whether Dow Jones and News Corp. had inked a deal. One insider said a deal was struck, but others disavowed the notion. My guess is that the Rupert Murdoch-friendly participants leaked the news of a deal, while others desperately searched for an alternative buyer, which would have pleased many of the Bancrofts and Dow Jones staffers. The situation now seems to be that Dow Jones has an agreement for a deal. But that deal must now be accepted--or not--by the Bancroft family. So the rubber is meeting the road. Who would have ever have dreamed it? News Corp. running The Wall Street Journal. One issue is an agreement that was designed to safeguard the newspaper's editorial interests and independence. This is not over.

For more:
- here's a New York Times article