James Murdoch left the News Corp board because of disagreements over how decisions were made, arguing that great news organizations should “not cast doubt, should obscure the fact.”
In an interview with New York Times, Mr. Murdoch elaborated in a statement he gave when his father left Rupert Murdoch’s company earlier this year, expressing his discomfort from the toxins in Fox News and other company-owned media.
In July, he said he was leaving because of disagreements over some editorial material published by the company’s news outlets and some other strategic decisions.
Mr Murdoch said: “I have come to the conclusion that you can worship a contest of ideas, if you will, and we will all, and that is important. But it should not be in a way to hide the agenda.
“The contest of ideas should not be used to legitimize opposition. And I think it’s often taken advantage of. And I think in great news organizations, the mission should really present the fact to spread suspicion – not to sow doubt, a vague fact if you will. “
Mr Murdoch explained that he was increasingly uncomfortable with his position on the board and that it was “not difficult to decide to remove myself and keep a sort of cleaner slate”.
Mr. Murdoch, and his older brother, Lachlan, both expressed contempt for Roger Ailes during his tenure at Fox News, but were unable to change the network’s focus and direction after Mr. Ailes’ departure in 2016.
“I think if you’re not an executive, you’re on board, you can only do a lot, you obviously get away with a lot of day-to-day decisions,” he said. “And if you are upset with these decisions, you have to take stock of whether you want to join and whether you can change it. I have decided that I can be more effective outside. ”
Mr Murdoch and his wife, Catherine, have both expressed frustration over News Corp.’s Trump administration and coverage of climate change in the past.
His foundation supports the Quadrivium, Voter Participation, Democratic Reform and Climate Change projects.
This Times Reports that in the 2020 election cycle he has donated to Pete Battingig and J Biden to $ 1.23 million (40,940,000), which he wants to vote for next month.
