Dow Jones CEO Richard Zannino recently hinted that layoffs were a part of the mix as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. takes over the Wall Street Journal.This comes as no surprise since Murdoch – whose multibillion dollar conglomerate includes Fox News Channel, Fox TV Stations, MySpace, publishing houses, satellite and cable networks, movie studios and tabloid newspapers – has routinely put profits before quality journalism to assemble his empire. Wall Street Journal reporters are understandably worried. Yesterday, they picketed outside the paper’s Manhattan headquarters to protest unfair labor practices as they negotiate a new contract. But we should all be worried. The growing concentration of local newspaper, radio and TV outlets is stifling competition and diversity. (In another example, the newspaper chain Media News Group (MNG) has been buying up local media outlets in order to break local unions and layoff experienced news editors.) The News Corp. buyout has a bright side. It could finally force policymakers in Washington to acknowledge that media consolidation is destroying quality journalism – and change the policies to stop big media. As Free Press President Robert McChesney has said, “Rupert Murdoch — who has never hesitated to use his pulpit to advance his own ideological and business interests — won’t change his ways. But we can change the policies that allow companies like News Corp. to dominate our media.” The FCC is looking at new rules that would allow media giants to gobble up even more print and broadcast news businesses. Urge the FCC to protect localism and support the Newspaper Guild's ongoing efforts to promote quality journalism.