Reuters dominates AIG’s second bailout

The U.S. government bailed out AIG yet again, and Reuters was out in front at just about every twist and turn. Reuters reported exclusively on Feb 28 that the troubled insurer was close to a deal with the U.S. government that would provide further equity commitment and help it pay down debt. The unmatched story had key details like the additional bailout $30 billion funds. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg were forced to pick-up the Saturday exclusive piece — and they did again on Sunday, when Reuters reported first that the AIG board approved the deal, beating Dow Jones by 19 minutes. Reuters was alone with details of initial $500 million bids for AIG`s asset management business, Dow Jones picked up the news, citing Reuters. Bloomberg did not have the story. Sources told Reuters that at least two consortia — one with Carlyle and another with Greenbriar — were emerging to bid for AIG’s ILFC unit. At the same time, sources said two more large potential buyers — KKR and Temasek Holdings — had lost interest in a bid, thinning the field of potential buyers further. Dow Jones and Bloomberg did not have the story