A recent hearing before the Nevada Supreme Court has shed light on a closely guarded legal battle over the future control of Rupert Murdoch’s extensive media empire, which includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. The proceedings have predominantly occurred behind closed doors in Reno, with most documents sealed. However, The New York Times reported on the case, revealing that Murdoch is actively trying to designate his son Lachlan as the sole leader after his death, aiming to preserve Fox News’s conservative stance.
Media organizations, including The New York Times and The Associated Press, are urging the court to unseal the case, and the high court is set to hear arguments on this issue in Carson City. The heart of the dispute revolves around Rupert Murdoch’s family trust, which is designed to divide control of his media assets equally among his four children: Lachlan, Prudence, Elisabeth, and James. The trust is irrevocable, meaning alterations typically require consent from the beneficiaries or a court order.
Murdoch’s attempts to modify the trust have provoked resistance from Prudence, Elisabeth, and James, the latter two known for their less conservative political views, which could pose challenges to the continuation of Fox News’s editorial direction as envisioned by Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch. The probate commissioner previously ruled against Rupert Murdoch, describing his proposed changes to the trust as a “carefully crafted charade” aimed solely at consolidating Lachlan’s control, irrespective of the effects on other beneficiaries. Rupert Murdoch’s legal team announced intentions to appeal this decision, and another evidentiary hearing is on the calendar for this month.
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