Today, Explained The making of the Fox News empire
109 snips
Jan 19, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, Des Friedman, a Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, unpacks the incredible rise of Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul whose influence reshaped political discourse. They explore Murdoch's privileged beginnings, ruthless tactics in press manipulation, and his alignment with political figures like Margaret Thatcher. The conversation highlights the birth of Fox News, its sensationalist approach, and Murdoch's lasting impact on global media and politics, revealing the complexities of power in modern journalism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Media As Power, Not Just News
- Rupert Murdoch built a media empire across countries by treating news as entertainment and power, not just reporting.
- His influence reshaped political discourse and governance in multiple democracies.
Inherited Tabloid Instincts
- Rupert Murdoch inherited newspapers and a tabloid philosophy from his father and used that foundation to expand aggressively.
- He grew up wealthy, studied at Oxford, and took over his father's Adelaide paper after Keith Murdoch's death.
Sensationalism to Sell Papers
- Murdoch used sensationalism to drive circulation, famously converting The Sun into a sex-and-spice tabloid with Page Three models.
- He prioritized entertainment value over strict factual caution, even publishing fake Hitler diaries to boost sales.