The secret battle for the Murdoch empire

ABC News Daily

The Murdoch family will head to court in Nevada in the US next week in a fight over the future of the media empire.

It’s a real-life succession drama, as Rupert Murdoch seeks to ensure his son Lachlan has full control of the editorial policy of the businesses once he dies.

To do that, he’s got to beat three of his other children in court and he’s reportedly arguing that making the change is in good faith and would prevent power struggles resulting from the lack of consensus between the children.

Today, journalist Paddy Manning, author of Successor, the first unauthorised biography of Lachlan Murdoch, and producer of a three-part Australian Story series Making Lachlan Murdoch on why he’s the chosen one.

Paddy Manning explains that the family trust, established in 1999, is central to the dispute, as it grants equal voting rights to Rupert’s four children.

He's been looking at Lachlan’s conservative views and his close relationship with his father, which contrasts with his siblings’ perspectives.

He tells Sam Hawley that the outcome of this court case could impact the editorial direction of major media outlets like Fox News.

Featured:

Paddy Manning, journalist

Key Topics:

• Murdoch family court case
• Rupert Murdoch
• Lachlan Murdoch
• Media empire succession
• Family trust dispute
• Fox News editorial policy
• Conservative media