[Opinion] Murdoch’s Empire

“The Iraq War, ruler of an empire, and love for children” are key words that represent both U.S. President George W. Bush and the media magnate Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch, owner of the conservative Fox News Network, is a strong supporter of neo-conservatism that insisted on waging the Iraq War despite criticisms over a lack of cause. If President Bush arrogantly ruled the “American Empire” with military, economic, and soft power, then Murdock rules the “Media Empire” encompassing newspapers, televisions, satellite televisions, films and the publishing industries around the world.

A few days ago, President Bush requested to postpone the NATO Summit scheduled in May 2004. The reason was that he had to attend his twin daughters’ college graduation ceremony. The German newsmagazine “Der Spiegel” sarcastically pointed out that, “Sometimes trivial things control world politics.” Murdoch, at the aged of 72, showed off an extraordinary love for children with the recent birth of his sixth child early this year. Three days ago, he once again showed his fatherly love when he appointed his younger son, James Murdoch, as chief executive of the British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB), a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s multinational media company News Corp.

Murdoch is one of the few people who have received criticisms that go from one extreme to another. Some praise Murdoch as an emperor of global media industry and a strong advocate of media democracy who had built up a single Australian newspaper, handed down from his father 51 years ago, into an “empire.” However, others criticize him as a leader of media imperialism and a cheap media merchant who polluted the media for the world. He once said that he ran the media company for profit, not for respect. These words reflect the reality of the media at present. He established a media empire with his reckless ambition, boldness, and pursuit of manipulation as an advocate of Machiavelli. Perhaps, after the fierce media war to conquer the empire, he will realize in the end that “Your family is the only people you can turn to.” Even Murdoch, who claimed that his retirement plans had been put on hold “forever,” handed down the newspaper business to his oldest son, Lachlan and the television business to his younger son, James.

In Korea, it would have been “normal” for a young son of a conglomerate owner to succeed his father. However, in the U.K., there has been intense criticism on Murdoch’s decision. Critics say it is unacceptable that Murdoch can simply parachute his son when he “only” holds 35 percent stake in BskyB while 65 percent belongs to other shareholders. Some questions whether the company can protect the shareholders’ interest and play its role as a critic. James Murdoch is known to be competent in management, turning News Corp`s Asian satellite television business Star television its first profit. He even inherited his father’s business skills. To enter into the Chinese cable television market, he curried favor with the Chinese government by criticizing Falun Dafa. It seems that his future will be more exciting than any other media contents.

Kim Soon-deok, Editorial Writer, yuri@donga.com