Angelo Carusone on Rupert Murdoch stepping down: “The world is worse off because of Rupert Murdoch”

“Murdoch created a uniquely destructive force in American democracy and public life, one that ushered in an era of division where racist and post-truth politics thrive”

Angelo Carusone, President & CEO of Media Matters for America, issued this statement following reports that Rupert Murdoch is retiring from the boards of Fox Corp. and News Corp. and will be replaced by his son Lachlan Murdoch:

Rupert Murdoch’s legacy is one of deceit, destruction, and death.

Wherever his media properties exist across the globe, they disregard basic journalistic practices and pump venomous misinformation into the public discourse.

In Fox News, Murdoch created a uniquely destructive force in American democracy and public life, one that ushered in an era of division where racist and post-truth politics thrive.

Rupert Murdoch’s media properties helped reshape the Republican Party into a Trumpist authoritarian death cult.

Rupert Murdoch allowed Fox News to fuel the insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol, letting his stars intentionally and knowingly lie to undermine our democratic elections.

Rupert Murdoch’s media outlets, especially Fox News, spread dangerous medical misinformation that not only worsened the global pandemic but also resulted in countless needless deaths — including those of many of the network’s own viewers.

Given the unparalleled global scale of his media footprint, no one on the planet has done more to spread lies denying climate change and undermine efforts to address the crisis than Rupert Murdoch.

The world is worse off because of Rupert Murdoch. No one should sugarcoat the damage he caused. Making matters worse, his parting act — handing the reins to Lachlan Murdoch — is akin to tossing a match onto the kindling he stacked.

Lachlan certainly is a less competent leader than his father, but his worldview is considerably more brutal. His leadership will likely just intensify the misconduct, misinformation, and malevolence that have come to define Murdoch media.

Since its founding in 2004, Media Matters for America, a nonprofit media watchdog, has been the leading force in countering Fox News’ right-wing misinformation and GOP propaganda, including naming Lachlan Murdoch and Fox Corp. among its Misinformers of the Year. Here are 400+ moments that have defined Fox News and the Murdochslegacy.