Murdoch family fights in secret over future of media empire

In the small city of Reno, Nevada, a significant family dispute is unfolding, centered around the future of a vast media empire owned by Rupert Murdoch, who is now 93 years old. The Murdoch family members traveled from various parts of the globe to engage in discussions about how their father's media empire will be divided after his passing. For six consecutive days, a convoy of black SUVs transported Rupert Murdoch and his family to the Washoe County Courthouse, where they held private hearings. The court has not provided any information regarding when a decision will be made, and once it is, it will not be accessible to the public. Rupert Murdoch typically left the courthouse after lunchtime, while his four children remained inside until nightfall, maintaining silence as they exited. The outcome of this case is expected to have significant implications that extend beyond the family, influencing the direction of one of the world's most powerful conservative media companies. News Corp, the company in question, owns numerous newspapers and media outlets globally, including the right-leaning Fox News in the United States, which played a crucial role in promoting Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, as well as popular newspapers like The Sun in the UK. Due to limited media access, much of the information about the case has been sourced from the New York Times, which managed to obtain sealed court documents. Reports suggest that Rupert Murdoch wishes to grant greater control of the empire to his eldest son, Lachlan, who shares similar political views with him. However, an irrevocable trust established during Rupert's second divorce complicates matters, as it stipulates that his four eldest children will receive equal shares of the company upon his death. This trust provides the family with eight votes, which they can use to influence the board of News Corp and Fox News. Rupert currently holds four votes, leaving each of his eldest children with one vote, while his two younger children do not possess any voting rights. Under the existing trust agreement, Rupert's votes would be distributed equally among the four eldest children after his passing. Rupert is reportedly attempting to modify the terms of this £14. 9 billion trust to ensure Lachlan's control, fearing that his other elder children—James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—might steer Fox News away from its conservative stance, potentially impacting its profitability. The choice of Nevada as the location for this family dispute may seem unusual, as the Murdoch family does not have any apparent connections to the state. However, Nevada offers one of the most confidential legal environments for family trust disputes, allowing cases to proceed behind closed doors. The state has a 'close on demand' statute that permits parties involved in sensitive cases to request that court proceedings be sealed from public access, ensuring complete privacy. Arash Sadat, a probate lawyer experienced in family trust matters, noted that such cases are often deeply personal and emotional, leading to highly contentious situations. He explained that estate planning is typically done in a manner that allows families to modify the trust, but in this case, Rupert Murdoch is attempting to change an irrevocable trust, which carries significant stakes. To maintain their privacy, the Murdoch family has had their security team scout out which entrance of the courthouse has the fewest reporters waiting outside. They are keen to avoid any potentially embarrassing family revelations becoming public in this small desert city. Meanwhile, life continues as usual in Reno. At a nearby tea shop, two schoolmates, Lauren Whitenack and Sofia Haley, were studying when they overheard a conversation about the Murdoch case. They expressed surprise that such a high-profile trial was being kept so secretive. Lauren remarked, 'It’s such a high-stakes trial, and the fact that it's being kept so secret is kind of shady. ' Shortly after, a woman named Vikki, who preferred not to disclose her full name, entered the shop with friends and was equally astonished that the future of Fox News was being debated just minutes away. She stated, 'Secrecy. I don’t like that. I think it's really misleading people. And we're just ripe with conspiracy theories in our politics. ' The outcome of the case is also unlikely to be made public. The probate commissioner overseeing the case will submit a recommendation to a local judge, who may take weeks or even months to reach a decision, which will remain sealed and unavailable to the public. This decision could not only create awkward family dynamics but also influence the news consumed by millions worldwide. All three women at the tea house agreed that they would not want to be at a Christmas dinner with the Murdochs this year, with Lauren commenting, 'It's the classic 'money screws up relationships' sort of situation.