As the takeover of Dow Jones by News Corporation was confirmed, the Bancroft family, who had controlled The Wall Street Journal publisher, issued a formal statement on the news:

“The process of thoroughly reviewing a broad range of possible alternatives for Dow Jones has been long, complex and arduous. After much soul-searching, hard work and analysis by Bancroft family members, trustees and advisors, shares held by family members and trustees representing approximately 37 percent of the Company’s voting power have been committed to support the News Corporation transaction.

“All the members of the Bancroft family, wherever each came out on the News Corporation proposal, share a deep love for Dow Jones, its people, its publications and its brands.

“It is our most fervent hope that in the years to come, The Wall Street Journal will continue to enjoy, and deserve, the universal admiration and respect in which it is held all over the world, and that the Journal and Dow Jones’s other print and online publications will continue to achieve great things as part of a larger, well-capitalized, global organization committed to upholding the long tradition of journalistic excellence, independence and editorial integrity of which we are all so proud.”