Lachlan Murdoch Assumes Chairmanship of News Corporation and Fox Corporation
Lachlan Murdoch has officially taken the reins as chairman of News Corporation and Fox Corporation, succeeding his father Rupert Murdoch. The transition, however, raises questions about the extent of the change that will occur within the media empire. During the recent annual shareholders meeting, the elder Murdoch, aged 92, expressed his desire to continue playing an active role in the company. Meanwhile, Lachlan Murdoch assured investors that there will be no change in strategy at Fox News, but later described this as an era of generational realignment that will require clear vision, great courage, and political will to navigate.
However, Lachlan Murdoch will inherit a series of legal claims that directly impact the TV news division of the slimmed-down Fox empire. Many of these claims are related to Fox News’ $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems earlier this year. Among these claims is a $2.7 billion defamation complaint brought by voting system company Smartmatic in New York. Fox News has expressed its readiness to defend itself in this case, describing Smartmatic’s damages claims as implausible and disconnected from reality.
In addition to the Smartmatic claim, other legal challenges arise from the Dominion settlement. The state of Oregon and five New York City pension funds have filed lawsuits against Fox News, alleging that the network breached its fiduciary duty by broadcasting false claims about the 2020 election. However, proving financial negligence based on a settled claim without an admission of liability may be challenging. It is noteworthy that the pension funds did not include any specific financial claim against Fox.
Lachlan Murdoch also faces other legal issues, including a lawsuit filed by former Marine Ray Epps, who alleges that Fox News commentators, including Tucker Carlson, falsely accused him of being an FBI plant. Additionally, former Fox News reporter and producer Jason Donner claims that he was unlawfully fired for refusing to report false information about the election and the January 6th Capitol riot. Lastly, Nina Jankowicz has filed a claim against Fox, alleging that she was subjected to a malicious campaign of destruction after being appointed to Joe Biden’s Disinformation Governance Board.
While Lachlan Murdoch assumes his role as chairman, concerns remain regarding the influence of his father. Rupert Murdoch has stated his intention to remain involved in the company, which raises questions about the extent of Lachlan’s authority. The media industry often experiences different dynamics when it comes to succession, with many media empires being dismantled before or after the founder’s demise. Professor Bob Thompson at the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University believes that Lachlan Murdoch’s main concern will be managing his father’s continued presence in the company.
The issue of continuity also extends to programming. Fox News, known for its punchy right-wing talk and conservative audience, has no plans to change its programming approach. However, the ongoing lawsuits and liabilities may necessitate some adjustments. The challenge lies in replicating the success of hosts like Tucker Carlson without facing legal repercussions. As Lachlan Murdoch takes charge, he must navigate these legal challenges while ensuring the continued success of Fox News.
Original Story at www.theguardian.com – 2023-11-25 19:05:00
