Murdoch << MUR dok >>, Rupert (1931-…), is an Australian American media executive. He has built up an international publishing and entertainment media empire. Originally from Australia, Murdoch became a United States citizen in 1985.
Keith Rupert Murdoch was born on March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Australia. In 1979, Murdoch founded News Corporation (also called News Corp) after acquiring a number of American, Australian, and British newspapers. News Corp’s operations grew to include magazine and book publishing, motion-picture and television production and distribution, and websites. News Corp publications range from such influential newspapers as The Times of London and The Wall Street Journal to such sensationalistic papers as the New York Post. In Australia, News Corp’s newspapers include The Australian, a national daily; and The Daily Telegraph of Sydney.
In 2011, a scandal erupted involving a British tabloid owned by News Corp. Journalists at the 168-year-old newspaper News of the World had hacked (illegally accessed) voice messages left on the cell phones of private citizens. Murdoch closed the newspaper. He testified before the British Parliament concerning his role in illegal or unethical activities by News Corp employees. A Parliamentary report in 2012 stated that Murdoch was “not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company.”
In 2013, News Corp was divided into two companies—News Corp and 21st Century Fox. News Corp retained its newspaper and other publishing ventures, and 21st Century Fox became one of the world’s largest entertainment companies. In 2019, the Walt Disney Company bought most of the assets of 21st Century Fox. Some of the remaining assets became part of the newly launched Fox Corporation.
Over the years, Murdoch has held a number of executive positions at News Corp, 21st Century Fox, and Fox Corporation. He currently serves as chairman emeritus of both News Corp and Fox Corporation.
