After a scathing ruling from a Nevada probate commissioner, Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son Lachlan’s attempt to amend a family trust may have backfired spectacularly, with the commissioner concluding the two acted in “bad faith”.

Rupert was attempting to give permanent control of his conservative media empire, comprising Fox and News Corp, to his designated successor Lachlan after Rupert dies.

The initial attempt to amend the trust was also kept secret from Lachlan’s three eldest siblings – Prudence, Elisabeth and James – the other beneficiaries with equal voting rights on the trust.

The ruling has deepened the divide within the family, and thrown the future of the Murdoch empire into question.

Today, director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Andrew Dodd on the ruling, the fallout and the next chapter in the Murdoch succession saga.

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Guest: Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Andrew Dodd.

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