Pearson denies talks of Financial Times sale to Murdoch The Edge Review, a regional political and business digital magazine based in Malaysia, reported that negotiations with the FTSE 100 publishing and education company had been going on for more than a month AFP reported that according to The Edge Review, which cited financial executives close to the talks, a decision was close to being finalised. It said Abu Dhabi Media Group would control around 75pc and Mr Murdoch the rest. A deal would have seen Mr Murdoch add the respected Financial Times brand, as well as 50pc of the Economist magazine, to his media empire which includes the Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones and The Times. Mr Murdoch's News Corporation media empire prepares to split after US stock markets close today, as it acts to shake off the reputational damage caused by the phone hacking scandal. 21st Century Fox will include Fox studios in Hollywood and its global cable, broadcasting and pay-TV operations, and "new News Corporation" will contain the company's newspapers in Britain, Australia and the United States.