USA Today names new publisher, editor

Gannett on Tuesday announced that it was appointing David Hunke as the new publisher for USA Today, a position filled by Craig Moon until April 17, according to Editor & Publisher.

Craig Dubow, Gannett chairman, president and chief executive officer, made the announcements at the company’s annual shareholders meeting.
“Dave is a highly talented, multi-faceted leader, who drives excellence throughout his organization while making the tough business decisions. At the same time, he has the courage to be innovative and take chances. He is just the right person for USA TODAY at this juncture,” Dubow said in a statement. “I am thrilled he will be joining my executive team.”

It was also announced that John Hillkirk would be promoted to the top editor position at USA Today from his previous role as executive editor.
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Former publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times gets 29 months in prison

The New York Times reports that F. David Radler, former publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, was sentenced to 29 months in prison and fined $250,000 for stealing millions from shareholders of Hollinger International.

Radler's partner Conrad Black was sentenced last week to 6 1/2 years in prision for his role in cheating shareholders out of $6 million.

''I'm sorry for what I've done,'' said Radler, 65, who had pleaded guilty to fraud and testified against Black in return for a reduced sentence.

To read the Times full report click here.

Murdoch tells Dow Jones employees he will set an even "higher bar"

Rupert Murdoch spoke to Dow Jones employees at their Manhattan headquarters several hours after he bought their company, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal's Sarah Ellison.
Murdoch acknowledge that change creates nervousness and is sometimes difficult, but said Dow Jones must be the essential source of financial information and comment in the world.
Ellison reports says that Murdoch told employees he understood the value of Dow Jones and in particular The Wall Street Journal.
"If anything, you will find us trying to set a higher bar," Murdoch said.
Shareholders approved the more than $5 billion sale of Dow Jones & Co. to Murdoch's News Corp. on Thursday.
To read Ellison's full report click here.

Wall Street Journal sale is final

This afternoon the majority of Dow Jones & Co. shareholders approved selling the company to News Corp. for $5.6 billion.
The general council of Dow Jones said shareholders holding 60.27 percent of the company's stock had been approved for the sale, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal.
The sale ends the Bancroft family ownership of Dow Jones, which dates back to more than a century.
To read the full report click here.

Approval likely for Wall Street Journal sale

The Wall Street Journal reports that a count of proxy votes indicates Dow Jones shareholders will approve a News Corp. takeover tomorrow.
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has offered to buy the company for more than $5 billion, which would end the Bancroft family long ownership of the newspaper.
For the full report click here.

Conrad Black gets jail time

Media mogul Conrad Black was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison by a federal judge on Monday for his role in cheating shareholders of Hollinger International, according to CNN reports.
The company once controlled the Chicago Sun Times, the Montreal Gazette, Britain's Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post. It also oversaw abut 60 percent of Canadian newspapers.
In July, Black was convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice. He must also pay a $125,000 fine.
Black's associates, Peter Atkinson of Oakville, Ontario, Jack Boultbee of Victoria, British Columbia, and Mark Kipnis of Northbrook, Illinois, were also convicted of mail fraud.
To read the full report click here.