Rupert Murdoch's announcement of his "retirement" and transition to chairman emeritus is likely a strategic move to boost the status of his chosen heir, Lachlan Murdoch, and maintain control of his media empire after his passing.
Rupert Murdoch has been accused of causing "enormous damage to the democratic world" by a former Australian prime minister, who criticizes his media empire for creating division and spreading lies, but acknowledges his significant influence.
Rupert Murdoch's eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, has been named the sole chairman of News Corp, raising questions about a potential power struggle among the four adult children upon their father's death, as outlined in the Murdoch Family Trust.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blames Rupert Murdoch and his media empire, specifically Fox News, for creating an "anger-tainment ecosystem" that fueled division and contributed to the election of President Donald Trump.
Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media mogul, has left a lasting impact on Australian institutions and media ownership, despite concerns about his influence on the nation's democracy and calls for a Royal Commission, as his retirement draws near.
Lachlan Murdoch's assumption of control over the Murdoch media empire is not expected to bring significant changes to the conservative-leaning Fox News, as he has been described as just as conservative as his father, Rupert Murdoch.
Despite the departure of Rupert Murdoch, Fox News is expected to continue amplifying political bias, disinformation, and conservative causes, as its business model remains unchanged and economically successful, according to analysts.
Lachlan Murdoch is set to become the undisputed leader of his father's media empire, News Corp. and Fox Corp., as Rupert Murdoch steps down, but history suggests that things can quickly change within the Murdoch family business.
Rupert Murdoch's retirement leaves behind a destructive legacy, as his media empire played a significant role in the Iraq War, Brexit, and the rise of Donald Trump and his false claims.
Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul behind Fox News, is stepping down, leaving behind a legacy of conservative media and controversial influence on the digital landscape.
The departure of Rupert Murdoch from Fox Corp. and News Corp. has shifted focus to the succession within the Murdoch family, but the bigger story lies in the growing competition from well-funded GOP propaganda outlets that are more extreme, explicitly racist, and favor Trump even more than Fox News viewers, which could threaten Fox News' audience and influence.
Rupert Murdoch's departure from the boards of Fox and News Corp raises questions about whether his son, Lachlan, will continue his father's dealmaking legacy or maintain the current status quo, with the possibility of smaller, incremental deals rather than major strategic changes in the near term. However, there is speculation that Lachlan may consider a merger between Fox and News Corp to reinforce his leadership and that wealthy Republicans could show interest in acquiring Murdoch's media assets, including Fox News, which could potentially have significant political implications.
Rupert Murdoch's media empire is seen as a destructive force due to the spread of disinformation and the erosion of trust in facts, but with his departure as chairman, the future of the empire is uncertain.
