92-year-old Rupert Murdoch is leaving behind a mixed legacy following his departure as the shepherd of the Fox media empire.
Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s 52-year-old son, will now assume the full responsibility of leading both the Fox and News corporations. He has served alongside his father as co-executive chairman, and this decision should avoid potential infighting among Murdoch’s heirs.
Rupert began his career in Europe about 70 years ago after inheriting multiple publications from his father. He later transitioned to the American market following the purchase of The San Antonio News.
Murdoch would later form the Fox News corporation and garner controversy due to the network’s outwardly conservative reporting. An article from The New York Times called it, “the most important and politically influential media empire on the planet. His companies... have amassed the power to shape, and at times make or break, presidents and prime ministers.”
Murdoch’s philosophies were on display during his introduction of former President Donald Trump in 2017.
A damaging blow to Fox came in 2016 - after former CEO Roger Ailes resigned amid sexual harassment allegations from female contributors.
Ailes and Murdoch had maintained a close working relationship during the former’s tenure, and it was after Ailes’ departure Murdoch assumed CEO responsibilities.
This controversy was dramatized in the fictional 2019 film Bombshell.
Murdoch’s transition to chairman emeritus follows a potential legal battle for the Fox Corporation against Dominion Voting Systems.
That lawsuit was related to misinformation surrounding the 20-20 election and the settlement cost Fox almost eight-hundred million dollars.
Dominion CEO John Poulos spoke at a press conference following the settlement decision.
Fox News has long-dominated cable television ratings. The network regularly ranks number one according to Nielsen rankings.
Murdoch left a message to Fox employees in an internal memo revealing his resignation that said, “We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years — I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them.”
For Annenberg Media - I’m Anthony Clingerman