A British Parliamentary committee’s report on Rupert Murdoch has declared that the 81-year-old News Corp. CEO “is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company.” The move was a blow to Murdoch’s media empire, which has considerable influence in the U.K.
Murdoch’s influence in the United States, for example, is undeniable. Through properties like Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, Jess Todtfeld argues that Murdoch has democratized the media landscape and given voice to different points of view.
Todtfeld was a Fox News producer for 13 years. He now owns a media training company. While not necessarily a Murdoch defender, Todtfeld believes that Murdoch’s willingness to invest in the news represents a unique point in the American media landscape.