Mr Murdoch had to win over some of the controlling family

The deal was approved by 60.3% of the shareholder vote.

The controlling shareholders, the Bancroft family, initially opposed the offer, but Mr Murdoch was able to win over enough of them to win the vote.

The $60-a-share offer represents a 65% premium for the media group that owns the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

It is understood that the necessary shareholders were won over with promises that the Journal will maintain its editorial independence.