Murdoch: Mark my words, LA Times being sold

One of the cardinal rules of newspaper reporting is you must have a source to back up any conjectures.

Rupert Murdoch is in the newspaper business, but he’s not a reporter – he’s an owner, and as such, he apparently doesn’t need such backup. That also makes it hard to know when to trust what he says.

So, for what it’s worth: Murdoch reports that the Los Angeles Times is being sold, most likely to Eli Broad, the billionaire philanthropist and entrepreneur, who has expressed an interest in buying the paper in the past.

Murdoch made the claim on Twitter, where he often goes to express opinions and occasionally hint at future happenings in media.

Not all of his “scoops” are correct, and he’s been crucified by others on social media for his right-leaning views.

Still, Murdoch’s a guy in the know, and so when he reports something, people listen. The tweet was retweeted hundreds of times and picked up as news by dozens of websites.

Murdoch suggested Tribune Publishing, which owns the LA Times, will also be sold.

The complete tweet:

Strong word Tribune newspaper group to be bought by big Wall St firm, LA Times to go to philanthropist Eli Broad and local group.

— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) November 27, 2015

Tribune has not commented on the validity of the tweet, and neither has Broad. Earlier this year, rumors surfaced that Tribune wanted to sell off the LA Times. Murdoch, who heads up News Corp., said he had no interest in bidding on the paper.

Tags: la times, la times sold, murdoch, news corp., newspapers, rupert murdoch, Tribune Publishing