Rupert Murdoch, a global titan of conservative media and driving force behind Fox News, said Thursday that he is stepping down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp. and appointing his son, Lachlan, as chairman of both companies.
Mr. Murdoch, 92, announced the shake-up in a company memo that says he is proud of his accomplishments and optimistic about the coming years. He will pivot into an emeritus role as his 52-year-old son takes over.
“For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change, but the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies,” Mr. Murdoch told employees.
Lachlan Murdoch congratulated his father on “a remarkable 70-year career” and looked forward to his “valued counsel.”
Born in Australia, Mr. Murdoch worked in media throughout his life and purchased 20th Century Fox in the 1980s before leaning into television and launching Fox News in 1996.
Fox News became the No. 1 cable news network and the preferred outlet for Republican lawmakers and conservatives.
The network has also been at the center of some turbulent episodes in media and politics.
Fox News reached a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over 2020 election claims, heading off a nasty trial over claims the voting company said were defamatory.
The network recently fired its most popular host, Tucker Carlson, and had a falling-out with former President Donald Trump, who used Fox News as a springboard for his political career and 2016 campaign. He griped about the network’s recent coverage and alleged preference for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Why won’t [‘Fox & Friends’] show the National Poll that THEY just did. They refuse to put it up, even after spending all of that money. SHOW THE POLL!!! If they don’t show it, I’ll put it up later!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social moments before the Murdoch news broke.
Political watchers will be eager to see whether Fox News and the network’s other channels change under new leadership, particularly given reporting that Lachlan Murdoch was privately critical of Mr. Trump, the 2024 Republican front-runner for president.
In his memo, Mr. Murdoch said his son believes in “freedom” and is “absolutely committed to the cause.”
“Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose,” he wrote. “Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.”
Mr. Murdoch said he was in “robust health” and signaled that he would remain engaged in coverage and reach out to employees with thoughts and advice.
Fox News announced the shake-up early Thursday with live coverage from anchor Bill Hemmer.
“Rupert Murdoch created all of this and so much more across America and the globe,” Mr. Hemmer said. “His life’s work has left an indelible imprint on the global media landscape. His contributions are both innumerable and extraordinary, and we thank him for letting us be a part of it all.”
Beyond Fox, Mr. Murdoch owns The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
Critics were unflinching in wishing Mr. Murdoch good riddance and said they expect little to change under his son.
Media Matters, a left-leaning media watchdog, said the mogul is leaving a legacy of “deceit, destruction, and death.” It said his networks’ coverage fueled the pandemic, the rise of Mr. Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It also said the networks spread lies about climate change.
“In Fox News, Murdoch created a uniquely destructive force in American democracy and public life, one that ushered in an era of division where racist and post-truth politics thrive,” said Angelo Carusone, president & CEO of Media Matters for America. “The world is worse off because of Rupert Murdoch. No one should sugarcoat the damage he caused.”
Mr. Murdoch built his empire from a single newspaper in Adelaide, Australia, inherited from his father, and became a multibillionaire. Forbes estimated the Murdoch family’s net worth at roughly $19 billion in 2020.
His clout has waned since the revelation more than a decade ago that News of the World employees had eavesdropped on phone calls and used other underhanded methods to get scoops on celebrities, politicians and royals. News Corp. owns British newspapers the Times, Sunday Times and Sun. News of the World closed. Mr. Murdoch sold his 40% stake in Sky News television channel when he failed to get complete control of the company.
Fox News went through a series of sexual harassment scandals in the 2010s, which led to the ousters of top executive Roger Ailes and prime-time personality Bill O’Reilly. Murdoch dismissed the scandals as isolated instances that were “largely political because we’re conservative.”
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.