Rupert Murdoch, known for establishing a significant media empire that includes Fox News and the Wall Street Journal in the U.S., as well as The Sun and The Times in the U.K., has made statements regarding the future direction of his businesses. A former senior executive recounted that Murdoch expressed a desire for his children not to sell the papers after his passing. Following a recent family agreement worth $3.3 billion that resolved ongoing disputes about the control of his businesses, this responsibility will fall to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch.
Lachlan, who has been positioned as the heir since his brother James resigned from News Corp’s board five years ago, currently chairs the media group and Fox Corp. His control comes after a failed attempt to diminish the voting power of his siblings. Lachlan now manages a new family trust, holding about a third of the voting power in the listed companies. This structure aims to maintain the conservative slant of the media group, particularly Fox News.
Despite Lachlan’s close relationship with Rebekah Brooks, the CEO of News UK, there are indications he might not share the same enthusiasm for Robert Thomson, the head of News Corp. Brooks was involved in recent negotiations concerning changes to the family trust. Given the upcoming revival of discussions surrounding the phone-hacking scandal, her position within the organization may be scrutinized.
Commercial decisions, particularly concerning the Sun, which has seen a decline in advertising revenue and unique user engagement, are likely to shift under Lachlan’s leadership. The Sun’s recent introduction of a paywall and ongoing financial losses stemming from past scandals emphasize the challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Lachlan’s approach to management and potential mergers, particularly between News Corp and Fox, remains uncertain amid ongoing legal issues and shareholder opposition.
As Lachlan aims to grow the businesses, particularly in the digital realm, questions about strategic direction and investment decisions loom large over the media empire.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/sep/11/lachlan-plan-murdoch-tough-decisions-tv-papers-empire