News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch is launching a charm offensive to convince reporters at the Wall Street Journal not to jump ship once his $5 billion acquisition of Dow Jones & Co. (NYSE: DJ) becomes official, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Times says Murdoch has called at least 3 reporters who were weighing job offers. No doubt, he'll call even more in the coming weeks.

But even if he didn't enjoy a deserved reputation for meddling in editorial affairs, Murdoch would have his work cut out for him. We journalists take pride in having a thick skin that's schmooze resistant. In fact, workplace romances are very common in newsrooms because it's a good place for cynical people to meet other cynical people. It's sad, I know. Murdoch, though, has to give it his best shot.

The tycoon is eager to prove to his many naysayers and advertisers that he's not going to wreck a great newspaper. No doubt, the paper's star reporters and editors will be promised everything short of a guest star role in "The Simpsons" to stay. Many Journal staffers will stay put because the paper pays pretty well and jobs in the industry aren't real plentiful.

After reading the story, the classic blues song "Baby Please Don't Go" popped into my head and now just won't leave. Them, the group which first brought Van Morrison to fame, recorded a great version of the tune in the 1960s. Please enjoy the video courtesy of YouTube.