Rupert Murdoch Loses Legal Battle to Alter Family Trust, Ownership of His Media Empire

Rupert Murdoch moved to alter his family's trust to leave his media empire to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch. However, a Nevada commissioner ruled against him on Saturday, meaning his media holdings will be split equally amongst his four oldest children, who do not share all of Rupert and Lachlan's conservative views. 

For Context: Murdoch's company, News Corp., owns many publications including the New York Post (Lean Right bias), The Wall Street Journal (Center), three national newspapers in the UK, and nearly 150 in Australia. He also owns the FOX Broadcasting Company, including the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. 

The Ruling: The commissioner said Rupert Murdoch acted in "bad faith" by trying to alter the terms of the trust. Rupert Murdoch said, “I love each of my children," but, "these companies need a designated leader and Lachlan is that leader.” His children, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, according to the ruling, “disavowed any plan to oust their brother,’’ and did not share “any singleness of purpose in changing the management of Fox News,” or other outlets after Rupert Murdoch’s death. James Murdoch resigned from the board of News Corp. in 2020, citing disagreements with editorial content in the Wall Street Journal and New York Post. Rupert Murdoch has said he plans to appeal the decision, which must now appear before a district judge to be ratified or rejected.

How the Media Covered It: The New York Times (Lean Left bias) based its reporting on sealed court documents regarding the legal battle. Other outlets referred to The Times' reporting.