Rupert Murdoch
Full Name and Common Aliases
Keith Rupert Murdoch, commonly known as Rupert Murdoch, is a name synonymous with global media influence. Over the decades, he has been referred to simply as "Murdoch" in media circles, a testament to his towering presence in the industry.
Birth and Death Dates
Rupert Murdoch was born on March 11, 1931. As of the latest available information, he is still alive and continues to exert influence in the media world.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-American media mogul. His professional titles include business magnate, media proprietor, and investor. He is best known for his role as the head of News Corporation, a global media conglomerate.
Early Life and Background
Rupert Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Sir Keith Murdoch, a renowned war correspondent and newspaper publisher, and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, a philanthropist. Growing up in a family deeply entrenched in the media industry, Murdoch was exposed to the world of journalism and publishing from a young age. He attended Geelong Grammar School, where he was a contemporary of future Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. Murdoch later attended Worcester College, Oxford, where he studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. His early exposure to media and his academic background laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the industry.
Major Accomplishments
Rupert Murdoch's career is marked by a series of strategic acquisitions and expansions that transformed him into one of the most powerful figures in global media. In 1952, he inherited his father's newspaper, The News, in Adelaide, Australia. From this modest beginning, Murdoch expanded his media empire by acquiring and launching numerous newspapers across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. His acquisition of the News of the World and The Sun in the UK marked the beginning of his international expansion.
In 1985, Murdoch became a naturalized U.S. citizen to comply with American laws regarding foreign ownership of television stations, paving the way for the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company. This move was instrumental in challenging the dominance of the "Big Three" television networks in the United States.
Notable Works or Actions
Rupert Murdoch's most notable actions include the founding of Fox News, which became a dominant force in American cable news, known for its conservative-leaning perspective. His acquisition of The Wall Street Journal in 2007 further solidified his influence in the financial news sector. Murdoch's media outlets have been credited with shaping public opinion and political discourse in various countries.
Murdoch's career has not been without controversy. The News International phone hacking scandal in the UK, which involved illegal interception of communications by journalists, led to significant legal and financial repercussions for his company. Despite these challenges, Murdoch's ability to navigate crises and maintain his media empire is a testament to his resilience and business acumen.
Impact and Legacy
Rupert Murdoch's impact on the media landscape is profound. He revolutionized the newspaper industry with his focus on sensationalism and tabloid journalism, which increased circulation and profitability. His ventures into television and film have reshaped entertainment and news delivery, influencing how information is consumed globally.
Murdoch's legacy is a complex one, characterized by both innovation and controversy. He has been a polarizing figure, admired for his business prowess and criticized for the ethical implications of his media practices. His influence extends beyond media, affecting political landscapes through the editorial slant of his outlets.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Rupert Murdoch is widely quoted and remembered for his unparalleled influence in the media industry. His ability to build and sustain a global media empire has made him a subject of fascination and study. Murdoch's quotes often reflect his business philosophy, insights into media trends, and views on political and social issues. His statements and actions have sparked debates on media ethics, freedom of the press, and the role of media in shaping public opinion.
Murdoch's enduring presence in the media world ensures that his words and actions continue to be scrutinized and discussed, making him a significant figure in contemporary media history.
Quotes by Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch's insights on:
ESPN is a very, very good operation, and it's a gold mine. It's an even bigger gold mine than Fox News.
People who watch 'Fox News,' you may say, and this is anecdotal, but they are passionate about it. In the most unlikely places, like down in Soho where I used to live, people would come up to me and thank me for it. People I didn't know from a bar of soap. People appreciate that at least they're being heard. It is much more watchable.
I was brought up in a publishing home, a newspaper man's home, and was excited by that, I suppose. I saw that life at close range and, after the age of ten or twelve, never really considered any other.
If you're in the media, particularly newspapers, you are in the thick of all the interesting things that are going on in a community, and I can't imagine any other life that one would want to dedicate oneself to.
Scarcely a day goes by without some claim that new technologies are fast writing newsprint's obituary.
If the sea level rises 6 inches, that's a big deal... we can't mitigate that; we can't stop it. We've just got to stop building vast houses on seashores and go back a little bit.
You can't have a free democracy if you don't have a free media that can provide vital and independent information to the people.
I wasn't weaned on the web nor coddled on a computer. Instead, I grew up in a highly centralized world where news and information were tightly controlled by a few editors, who deemed to tell us what we could and should know. My two young daughters, on the other hand, will be digital natives.