From India to Chinese wall: A look at the long shadow of Murdoch’s media empire

“Some fathers throw their sons the car keys. Others can offer larger toys,” noted Neil Chenoweth, in The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Media Wizard, a book detailing Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

That was years before Rupert Murdoch decided to step down as the chairman of Fox and News Corp, to finally hand over the reins to his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch, marking the end of an era for a conglomerate that has been as influential as it’s contentious. The octogenarian media titan, who will formally transition into his new role as chairman emeritus in November, has also been synonymous with controversies, at the heart of many of which lies a recurring motif: media ethics. 

The infamous 2011 phone hacking scandal at The News of the World, for example, was emblematic of the boundary-pushing strategies some of his properties have been accused of. The story of journalists, under the banner of a Murdoch-owned tabloid, allegedly hacking into phones of celebrities, politicians, and even a murdered schoolgirl, was not just about the trespasses of a few rogue reporters. It raised a mirror to the entire industry, provoking introspection about how far is too far in the chase for stories.

Yet, the phone hacking scandal was but one in a litany of contentious moments. From leveraging media assets for political sway to the accusation of outlets like Fox News perpetuating a particular brand of partisan journalism, the ethical lines seemed often blurred in the world of Murdoch.

Fox News, Trump, Brexit and Australia

In the US, Fox News emerged not just as a news channel, but as a force in shaping political discourse. Accusations of partisan reporting, especially during the 2016 presidential elections, pointed to an unsettling possibility: was the channel reporting the news or was it, as critics claimed, manufacturing it? The line between objective reporting and opinionated discourse seemed perilously thin.

Among the many controversies linked to Murdoch, one email stood out. An alleged communication suggesting Murdoch’s inclination towards Trump in 2016 wasn’t just about a personal opinion. It was a peek into the intricate ballet of media moguls and political figures. This email underscored long-standing suspicions about Murdoch’s dual role as a media magnate and a potential kingmaker.

After the 2020 presidential election, several Fox journalists made inaccurate claims, suggesting that Dominion Voting Systems manipulated the results to favour the poll defeat of then president Donald Trump. In response to these assertions, Dominion filed a US$1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News in March 2021.

By April this year, the lawsuit was resolved with a settlement of $787.5 million. During the pretrial proceedings, Murdoch acknowledged that certain prominent Fox journalists were aware that their statements regarding election fraud in the 2020 presidential election were not truthful.

Across the Atlantic, Murdoch’s media influence became evident during one of the most consequential moments in recent British history – the Brexit referendum. The Sun, a Murdoch property, was unabashed in its support for the Leave campaign. With headlines like “BeLEAVE in Britain,” the tabloid played an instrumental role in shaping the nationalist narrative around the UK’s departure from the EU.

In Australia, Murdoch’s newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph and The Australian have often championed a specific vision of Australian identity, and occasionally, scepticism of international institutions.

Corporate espionage

Over two decades ago, Murdoch’s News Corp was accused of corporate espionage against Canal Plus, a French competitor. They were alleged to have hacked the company's encryption system, leading to a loss of millions for Canal Plus. In 2012, a settlement was reached, though the details were not made public.

Sensationalism

The race for eyeballs in an increasingly fragmented media environment has led many of Murdoch’s outlets to embrace sensationalism.

The News of the World, before its closure, was infamous for its celebrity scoops, often bordering on the invasive. Their tactics and headlines prioritised shock value, epitomising tabloid sensationalism.

In the lead-up to the 2018 US midterms, Fox News provided extensive coverage of the migrant “caravan” approaching the US border. The narrative, filled with alarmist undertones, arguably played up the situation for its dramatic potential.

And this is where the lines between nationalist narratives and sensationalist tactics blurred, leading to stories that not only capture attention but also stoke nationalistic fervour.

Both in the US, with Fox News, and in the UK, with outlets like The Sun, stories about immigration often take on a sensationalist tone. Headlines emphasise “waves” of immigrants, potential “threats”, or cultural clashes, reinforcing nationalistic sentiments while ensuring the story grabs eyeballs.

‘Murdochisation’ of Indian media, and the Chinese wall

Murdoch’s ventures faced challenges in Pakistan, where cable operators at times ceased the broadcast of certain Star channels, alleging content issues and inappropriate material. While some of these actions were driven by local competitive dynamics, they underscore the challenges Murdoch’s content faced in aligning with regional sensibilities.

One of the most prominent controversies tied to Murdoch’s Asian ventures has been the relationship with China. When Star TV was initially acquired in 1993, the network broadcasted BBC’s international news, which frequently ran stories critical of the Chinese government. However, by 1994, Star TV dropped BBC from its China broadcasts, leading many to accuse Murdoch of kowtowing to Beijing to protect his business interests. This led to questions about media integrity and the compromises made in the face of a massive potential audience.

Murdoch’s rapid expansion in Asia, especially in giant markets like India, led to apprehensions about media monopolies. Critics earlier pointed to the dominant position of Star TV and its wide array of channels, questioning the impact on media plurality and the potential stifling of local competition.

In India, where Murdoch’s Star network became a major player, the news arm, particularly channels like Star News, faced criticism over their style of reporting. Accusations of sensationalism, lack of objectivity, and an overly aggressive approach have been frequent. Such practices, critics argue, contributed to a broader decline in journalistic standards in the country by setting the trend for market-led infotainment on news television. 

African appeal and Latin American stereotypes

In South Africa, Murdoch once held a significant stake in the media industry, particularly during the late apartheid era. His former ownership of the Sunday Times, the country’s biggest Sunday newspaper, was contentious. Critics argue that the paper, under Murdoch's stewardship, sometimes adopted a more conservative stance, particularly on issues like sanctions against the apartheid regime.

The format of many news shows across the African continent, especially in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, mirrors those popularised by Murdoch's channels.

In Latin America, Murdoch’s media presence often brought with it a particular representation of the region in global media. On one hand, it increased visibility for Latin American issues on the world stage. On the other, critics argue that the portrayal of Latin America often leaned on stereotypes or was framed from a decidedly Western viewpoint.

Lachlan a natural heir?

The future of Fox and News Corp is now up to Lachlan, who will have to steer the family’s television and newspaper assets around two distressed industries.

But Lachlan’s relationship with the empire has often been troubled, as several commentators have earlier pointed out. He had left the company in 2005 after a feud with Fox News top executive Roger Ailes, and Lachlan’s biography, written by Australian journalist Paddy Manning, had claimed that he felt the absence of his father’s support in the dispute. 

Years after the phone hacking scandal and his father’s divorce from Wendi Deng, Lachlan returned to the family business in 2014.

But will he be able to navigate his network’s troubled relationship with Donald Trump? And can he stay in charge? After all, Murdoch’s four adult children from his first two marriages – Prudence, Lachlan, Elisabeth and James – will one day inherit his voting control of News Corp and Fox, with the possibility that rival sibling factions could one day change who is in charge.