New York - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. edged closer to its goal of acquiring Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones yesterday, when the Bancroft family, which controls 64% of Dow Jones, said that it was willing to meet with Murdoch and consider his bid, as well as competing bids and other options, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"Dow Jones & Co.'s 125-year history as an independent media company could be nearing an end," the article opens.

Murdoch bid $5 billion for Dow Jones a month ago -- about a 67% premium to the company's share price -- but it wasn't until yesterday that the Bancroft family gave an indication of its willingness to sell the company.

"After a detailed review of the business of Dow Jones and the evolving competitive environment in which it operates, the family has reached consensus that the mission of Dow Jones may be better accomplished in combination or collaboration with another organization, which may include News Corp.," said Michael B. Elefante, a Dow Jones director and Bancroft family representative.

"We're grateful to the Bancroft family for agreeing to our suggestion of a meeting and we look forward to it," a News Corp. spokesman told The Journal.

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