Old enemies Murdoch and Fairfax to share costs

Two newspaper publishers in Australia with a long history of rivalry are talking about sharing back office facilities. Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd and John Fairfax may agree to share delivery costs, according to Fairfax chairman Ron Walker. He said after the company's annual meeting that he couldn't envisage any problems with the competition watchdog. "This is not about somehow getting a competitive edge, it's about rationalisation", he said. News last month snapped up a 7.5% strategic stake in Fairfax in what it said was a friendly move. (Via Melbourne Age)