Lachlan Murdoch becomes the new chairman of News Corp and Fox Corporation, succeeding his father, media mogul Rupert Murdoch. This transfer of power marks the end of a tumultuous succession saga within the Fox empire. Aged 52, Lachlan Murdoch inherits a media empire comprising several hundred companies, including major press titles such as the Sun, the Times of London and the Wall Street Journal.
Lachlan Murdoch has enjoyed a meteoric rise within his father’s group. After running several newspapers in Australia, he was promoted to managing director of News Ltd at the age of 25. However, in 2005, he suddenly resigned and left the United States to return to live in Australia. Observers attributed the decision to differences with his father over the management of the group and a working relationship that had become difficult.
For almost a decade, Lachlan Murdoch stayed in the background, letting his younger brother James take the reins of the company. However, in 2014, he gradually took over the family business by becoming non-executive co-chairman of News Corp. He later served as executive chairman of 21st Century Fox and chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation.
The appointment of Lachlan Murdoch as chairman of News Corp and Fox Corporation raises questions about the direction of these media outlets. Rupert Murdoch has been criticized for having favored, through his media, the rise of populism and for his support for Donald Trump. While his brother James has expressed disagreement with the ideology conveyed by Fox News, Lachlan Murdoch is considered to be more aligned with the conservative line.
The transfer of power between Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch marks a new era for the Fox media empire. It remains to be seen how much influence Lachlan will have on the editorial direction and ideological direction of News Corp and Fox Corporation’s media outlets. With his experience and family heritage, it is certain that Lachlan Murdoch will have a major role to play in the media industry and the global media landscape.