The trial centers on 93-year-old Rupert Murdoch’s request in 2023 to amend his trust, giving all voting rights to his eldest son Lachlan|World Economic Forum|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The succession battle for Rupert Murdoch’s media empire between him and his children begins in Nevada today as observers attempt to force the court to make the secretive dispute public.
The trial centers on 93-year-old Murdoch’s request in 2023 to amend his trust to give all voting rights to his eldest son, Lachlan. He currently manages Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Family feud
The proposed change faces strong opposition from Lachlan’s three older siblings, Prudence, Elisabeth and James Murdoch, who were set to inherit control after their father’s death and from Murdoch’s younger daughters, Grace and Chloe, who will receive financial benefits but have no voting rights.
Ideological clash
The court battle reflects a broader conflict over Fox News’s future direction. Lachlan’s siblings, particularly James, have criticized the network’s hard-right stance, suggesting a shift towards a more centrist approach.
High stakes
The trial’s outcome will impact Murdoch’s family and Fox News’s future. It will shape the network’s identity and role in the media landscape, affecting its future and place in the media industry.