Rupert Murdoch resigns from media empire

Rupert Murdoch and Lochlan Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch and Lochlan Murdoch
Reuters

Rupert Murdoch announced he is stepping down as chairman of his Fox News and News Corp global media empire, and relinquishing control to his son, Lachlan Murdoch, in a succession that raises questions about the influence of the Murdoch dynasty in the 2024 US elections and beyond.

Over his 70 year career, Murdoch dominated conservative media baron in the US, UK and Australia, using his outlets to sway the political pendulum to the right and act as a kingmaker within the Republican Party. Fox News was instrumental in bringing Donald Trump to power in 2016.

The transition comes at a difficult time for the conglomerate, which paid out a $787.5 million settlement and faces multiple shareholder lawsuits over spreading misinformation during the 2020 elections. It is also seeing ratings stagnate as viewers move towards extreme outlets like Newsmax and individual creators like Tucker Carlson– whom Fox ousted earlier this year.

Ahead of the 2024 election, whether Fox News will be able to maintain its power without Murdoch and amidst a more competitive and decentralized political media landscape remains to be seen.

More from GZERO Media

Protesters hold placards during a candlelight vigil to condemn South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declarations of the failed martial law and to call for his resignation in Seoul, South Korea, December 5, 2024.
REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

On Thursday, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party, said he was opposed to impeaching Yoon because it would add to national confusion. By Friday, however, he had changed his mind.

A flag is left at the event held by Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during Election Night, at Howard University, in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2024.
REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Romanian independent far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu poses for a portrait in Bucharest Romania, on Dec. 4, 2024.
REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Romanians head to the polls Sunday for a presidential runoff that could lead to significant foreign policy changes for the country – and profound implications for the war in Ukraine.

President-elect Donald Trump attends the 2024 Senior Club Championship award ceremony at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, back in March.
REUTERS/Marco Bello

Amid all the geopolitical chaos, the best advice of the year: Don’t panic.

Syrian armed opposition fighters control the city of Maarat al-Numan after seizing control of most parts of Idlib.

dpa via Reuters Connect

On Thursday, rebel fighters in Syria continued their startling advance by entering and seizing the city of Hama, according to both the rebels and the Syrian government. They are now within striking distance of the country's third-largest city, Homs.

Ari Winkleman

Small packages are a big problem for the United States these days. A decade ago, the US government raised the so-called “de minimis” threshold on imports from $200 to $800. This means any foreign packages worth less than $800 get no routine inspection or import duties.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly visits the International Training Center of the Ukrainian National Guard in the village of Stare in Kyiv Region, Ukraine, in January 2022.

Press Service of the National Guard of Ukraine/Handout via Reuters

A New York Times profile of Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly paints her as a potential top candidate to replace Justin Trudeau.