Some members of the Bancroft family, which has controlling interest in Dow Jones & Company, are willing to meet with Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corp., to discuss his offer for Dow Jones. Murdoch has made a bid of $5 billion for the family's interest in the company. However, other family members continue to oppose the sale. Murdoch has wanted to meet with the Bancroft family since they rejected his $60-per-share offer for Dow Jones and its flagship publication, the Wall Street Journal. The Bancrofts control 64.2 percent of Dow Jones's Class B voting shares, and they represent the major obstacle to Murdoch's ownership of what has been characterized as one of the most influential media companies in existence. Industry observers say that some of the Bancroft family members, who number some 35 people, are strongly opposed to selling their firm to News Corp. for any price. They are convinced that the deal would irreparably damage the journalistic integrity of a family institution, which they have overseen for over 100 years. Other members, however, are willing to listen to Murdoch's pitch. According to a Bancroft family member, there are many different scenarios in play, and the family should be willing to explore them. Approximately 80 percent of the Bancroft's Class B shares in Dow Jones, which are held in a number of trusts, voted against the first offer made by Murdoch. The family members are not required to vote as a block, so there is a possibility that Murdoch could convince some of them to support his acquisition of the firm.