Rupert Murdoch, one of the world’s most influential media figures, has announced his departure from Fox Corp. and News Corp. The 92-year-old media mogul will step down from his positions as chair of Fox Corp. and executive chairman of News Corp by mid-November. Murdoch’s departure marks the end of an era for the multibillion-dollar media empire that has stirred controversy over the decades.
Through Fox News, Murdoch has left a lasting impact on American journalism and politics. However, the influence may not be what most people think. Here are three essential reads from The Conversation that shed light on Murdoch, Fox News, and their impact on the American media and political landscapes.
1. So-called journalists can lie with near total impunity: Following the 2020 presidential election, Fox journalists repeatedly accused Dominion Voting Systems, a voting technology company, of rigging the contest to ensure then-President Donald Trump lost his bid for reelection. Dominion challenged these false accusations in a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The lawsuit was settled in April 2023 for $787.5 million, and during pretrial testimony, Murdoch admitted that key Fox journalists knowingly lied about election fraud. This case revealed a powerful truth about American journalism – anyone can claim to be a journalist, irrespective of their actual function. The profession lacks standardized requirements, allowing corporations to hire anyone and call them journalists. Lying in the press is unethical but does not necessarily strip liars of the protections provided by the First Amendment.
2. Fox News’ settlement with Dominion Voting Systems was a win for all media: After settling the lawsuit, Dominion claimed victory, stating that their reputation had been vindicated. Fox, on the other hand, acknowledged the court’s ruling that certain claims about Dominion were false while maintaining that the settlement reflected their commitment to the highest journalistic standards. Jane E. Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law, argued that the settlement protected all media outlets in the long run. If the Dominion case had gone to the jury, the Supreme Court could have reevaluated the New York Times v. Sullivan standard that protects news media of all political affiliations. Two justices, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have expressed eagerness to challenge this standard, which has been the constitutional norm for nearly six decades.
3. Fox News’ political power is marginal: Michael J. Socolow, a professor of communication and journalism, challenges the notion that Fox News and Rupert Murdoch have created and sustained the U.S. political climate. Socolow argues that the evidence offered is more circumstantial than anything else. He points to Trump’s 2016 election victory as an example, noting that neither Murdoch nor Roger Ailes, Fox News’ founder, supported Trump’s candidacy. Socolow suggests that Fox News’ real power lies in the media’s characterization of the outlet as an influential political force, while its actual political power is marginal.
In conclusion, Rupert Murdoch’s departure from Fox Corp. and News Corp. marks the end of an era in media. While Fox News has undoubtedly made a significant impact on American journalism and politics, the true extent of its influence may be more nuanced than commonly perceived. The legacy of Murdoch and Fox News will continue to be debated and analyzed for years to come.
[Read More: Anyone can claim to be a journalist or a news organization, and publish lies with almost total impunity]
[Read More: Why Fox News’ settlement with Dominion Voting Systems is good news for all media outlets]
[Read More: Fox News isn’t the problem, it’s the media’s obsession with Fox News]
Original Story at theconversation.com – 2023-09-21 20:45:52
