Rupert Murdoch is involved in a legal struggle with three of his children to solidify his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch's position as the leader of his media empire. According to a report by the New York Times, Murdoch is seeking to increase Lachlan's voting power within the Murdoch Family Trust to secure a majority and prevent challenges from his other children.
The family trust, based in Reno, Nevada, holds shares in Murdoch's extensive media holdings through News Corp and Fox Corp. Lachlan Murdoch currently serves as chairman of News Corp and as CEO and chairman of Fox Corp. The trust is divided into eight votes: four held by Rupert Murdoch and four by his children from his first two marriages. His younger daughters from his third marriage do not have voting rights.
In court, Rupert Murdoch argues that consolidating control under Lachlan will help maintain the conservative editorial stance of his media outlets, which he believes is crucial for preserving their commercial value. He fears that differing political views among his children could lead to a shift in editorial direction that might harm the companies' strategic interests.
Fox Corp, News Corp, and Murdoch's lawyer have not commented on the matter, and the lawyer for the three children involved was unavailable for comment. Murdoch's concerns also include the potential impact of a "lack of consensus" among his children on the strategic direction and editorial policy of his media empire.
