The Controversial Reign of Rupert Murdoch: Unveiling the Intricate Web of Political Influence and Enrichment

Rupert Murdoch's decades-long career as the powerful figurehead of a notorious right-wing media empire is drawing to a close. The 92-year-old media mogul announced on Thursday that he will step down as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corporation. However, the legacy he leaves behind, tarnished and enduring, will far surpass his time on the throne of his global media empire.

Murdoch capitalized on fear and division by spreading a dangerous blend of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and propaganda. Regardless of the consequences, he prioritized his own profit over distorting public conversation, damaging American politics, and jeopardizing Western democracy.

By becoming a powerful figure in Republican politics and adopting sensationalism previously associated with talk radio, Murdoch skillfully exploited the anxieties and fantasies of his eager audience. They desired a confirmation of their own beliefs, leading them to become detached from reality.

The society is deeply divided and engaged in conflicts over cultural issues, causing distrust and dysfunction. This division has been exacerbated by influential individuals who distort and manipulate the truth through their platforms, leading to a loss of trust among the public and political leaders.

In his recent letter to staff, Murdoch portrays himself as a champion for freedom of speech and independent thinking. Resembling the rhetoric of Fox News commentators, he criticizes the "elites" who he believes look down upon those outside their privileged circle.

On October 20, 2015, Rupert Murdoch, the Executive Chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox, participated as a judge in a global start-up showcase at the Wall Street Journal Digital Live (WSJDLive) conference, which took place at the Montage hotel in Laguna Beach, California.

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Rupert Murdoch steps down as Fox and News Corp. chairman, sending shockwaves through media and politics

"Without any hint of irony, Murdoch stated that the majority of the media collaborates with the privileged few, prioritizing political narratives over the pursuit of truth.

Ironically, Murdoch, a billionaire who has spent his entire life mingling with the most affluent members of society, must have been aware that, deep down, he was accurately describing himself. His companies, known for generating enormous profits by disseminating sensationalistic narratives, ultimately exploited and deceived their tragically misguided audience."

Despite taking personal precautions during the pandemic and being among the first recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine, Murdoch silently supported and financially rewarded a group of right-wing commentators who spread misinformation about the virus and promoted baseless conspiracy theories about the vaccines. The consequences of these lies resulted in the loss of human lives, as people turned to the outlet for information and trusted it with their health decisions. The true extent of this cost may never be fully known, but it was undeniably too high.

In addition to the cost of these pandemic-related lies, Murdoch's Fox News also spread false information about the 2020 election to protect Donald Trump. The consequences of these lies, however, are more easily quantifiable through the massive defamation lawsuits filed by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, both leading voting technology companies. Behind the scenes, Murdoch distanced himself from the unfounded claims aired on his network, and as a result, paid Dominion a record-breaking $787.5 million to settle and avoid a jury trial earlier this year. Fox News is still facing a $2.7 billion lawsuit from Smartmatic.

The question being asked in media circles following Murdoch's surprising announcement is, why now? What led him to choose Thursday, September 21, 2023, as the day to reveal his decision to step down and leave his position of power? Murdoch, known for his strategic thinking and ruthless business tactics, certainly gave careful consideration to the timing of his departure.

Could this announcement be an indication of Murdoch's efforts to solidify his son, Lachlan, as his successor? Does he believe that by appointing Lachlan as chairman of both of his companies before his eventual passing, it will make it harder for his other children to challenge his chosen successor? Perhaps Murdoch thinks that by placing Lachlan in charge and giving him the authority, it will prevent or minimize any power struggles that may arise following his death.

Alternatively, there could be another factor influencing the situation. In his note, Murdoch mentioned that he is in good health. However, considering his age of 92, it is understandable that he has gradually been slowing down in recent years.

Another aspect to consider is how this transition will affect the structure of Murdoch's companies. Murdoch emphasized that Lachlan shares his beliefs and values. Nonetheless, the top positions at Fox and News Corporations consist of Murdoch's trusted and devoted associates throughout his lifetime. Will Lachlan bring about any alterations? Will he provide opportunities for a new generation to excel?

And the biggest question of all: Does Murdoch have some additional surprises left up his sleeve? Are there more shoes to drop? We will see.