Rupert Murdoch became an American citizen so he might be eligible under legal restrictions to purchase additional U.S. television stations. He has built a large media empire in the U.S. (with holdings in other countries) which includes the Fox Cable News network. As far as I can tell, Murdoch has not made any public comment on the events in Charlottesville or the position taken concerning those events by Donald J Trump.
But his son James, CEO of 21st Century Fox (a Murdoch property) has, as reported in the New York Times, Washington Post and other news organizations.
Here is a link to the text as reported in the Times of an email James Murdoch sent friends.
I urge you to read it in its entirety but here are some highlights.
James Murdoch writes (in part) “It has not been my habit to widely offer running commentary on current affairs…But what we watched this last week in Charlottesville and the reaction to it by the President of the United States concern all of us as Americans and free people….The presence of hate in our society was appallingly laid bare as we watched swastikas brandished on the streets of Charlottesville and acts of brutal terrorism and violence perpetrated by a racist mob. I can’t even believe I have to write this: standing up to Nazis is essential; there are no good Nazis. Or Klansmen, or terrorists. Democrats, Republicans, and others must all agree on this and it compromises nothing for them to do so….To further demonstrate our commitment, Kathryn and I are donating 1 million dollars to the Anti-Defamation league…The ADL is an extraordinary force for vigilance and strength in the face of bigotry…”
Now, do Donald J Trump or “Fox & Friends” dare to label James Murdoch’s email “fake news?” Will the Fox Cable News Network even report his email?
Remember, it was Rupert Murdoch’s two sons who reportedly pressed to fire Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly and other Fox Cable Network personnel for alleged sexual assaults on women. Will they now clean out the stable further?
The ground is shaking at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fox Cable News Network and elsewhere where bigotry has been exposed and called out.
If any good can be said to have come out of the events in Charlottesville it is that more and more Americans are pushing back against the Nazis, Klansmen and various other bigots in general and against the man who, in putting their actions on an equal plane with Americans who oppose them, has hastened his own departure from the Oval Office.
The “ill wind” in Charlottesville may, indeed, turn out to blow us all some good!