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OK. Yes, we know Business Week Online has a piece today on News Corp.'s recent internet acquisitions and the company's potential future targets. And, yes, we also know that Gawker Media makes a small cameo appearance down near the bottom. Let's read that mention together, shall we?

"[Fox Interactive Media] likes sites that generate lots of page views, and it likes user-generated content," Arrington said. It could try to acquire a blogging platform like Six Apart, a blogging network such as Gawker Media, or photo service Photo Bucket, which already has a commercial arrangement with MySpace.

Now let's parse that. Does it suggest Rupert has bought Gawker Media? No. Does it carry any suggestion from a News Corp. or FIM official saying that they're about to buy Gawker media? No. Does it list Gawker Media as a for-example in a laundry list of kinds of companies FIM want to buy? Yes. And does Gawker Media actually fit the two specific criteria laid out in the previous sentence — especially that bit that Rupe "likes user-generated content"? Not at all.

Nevertheless there's been email all afternoon. So, let's be clear. "Total bullshit, per usual," as one of our bosses put it. And, while we wouldn't at all put it past the bosses to lie to us when convenient, in this case we're inclined to believe them. So you may stop speculating now. Thank you.

News Corp.'s New Net Bets [BW]
Rupe to Buy Blog Rupe's Gawker Media? [Deadline Hollywood Daily]