Murdoch's Man: Thomson Named Chief Editor at 'WSJ' And Dow Jones

By: E&P Staff Robert Thomson -- who as Rupert Murdoch's pick for publisher of The Wall Street Journal had all the normal duties of an editor and none of the usual business responsibilities of a publisher -- was formally named the top editor of the newspaper late Tuesday.

In addition, Dow Jones Chairman Murdoch announced Thomson is also the editor in chief of Dow Jones. Both appointments are effective immediately.

This time around, the Murdoch announcement was at pains to emphasize that Thomson's appointment as managing editor of the Journal had been "unanimously endorsed" by the so-called Special Committee of prominent outside journalists installed after News Corp.'s purchase of Dow Jones to preserve the independence of top editors from Murdoch's meddling.

Thomson's replaces Marcus Brauchli, who was essentially forced to resign after a meeting with Dow Jones executives.

"The company believes it was acting in accordance with the agreement and had no intention of subverting the role of the Special Committee," Dow Jones CEO Les Hinton said in a statement. "In hindsight, we recognize it would have more been appropriate to have advised the Committee in advance of reaching an agreement with Mr. Brauchli. We have apologized to the Committee members and undertaken that in future we will consult with it and seek approval of the Committee before taking any action with respect to an editor that could result in a material change in an editor's duties, responsibilities or reporting relationships or the departure of that editor."

Murdoch also announced Tuesday that Hinton will take on the title of publisher of the Journal in addition to his CEO duties.

In his new roles, Thomson will oversee the news section of the Wall Street Journal and the editorial operations of Dow Jones News Wires.

Neal Lipschutz, News Wires managing editor, will report to Thomson, Murdoch said, and Journal Editorial Page Editor Paul Gigot, will report to Hinton.

Thomson had been serving as editor of Murdoch's Times of London for more than five years when he was tapped to become publisher last December.

He is a former managing editor of the U.S. edition of the Financial Times.