Report: Murdoch Lieutenant Will be Made Journal's Publisher

The Observer recently reported that Wall Street Journal editors expect that Rupert Murdoch will soon find a leading role at the paper for one of his most trusted lieutenants, Robert Thomson, who is currently the editor of The Times of London.

Now, The Guardian says the move is all but a done deal. A source identified as a "senior US media executive" tells The Guardian that he is "90 percent certain" that Mr. Murdoch will install Mr. Thomson as the Journal's publisher next year.

Mr. Thomson and Journal managing editor Marcus Brauchli go back a ways -- they got to know each other when both worked as foreign correspondents, for different papers, in Tokyo.