The story of how one man shaped our modern media and in doing so changed the world.
In 1996, Rupert Murdoch was at the helm of one of the most influential media empires in the world, when he founded a new television network in the United States called Fox. Two decades later, Fox News would help elect President Donald Trump. Today, many believe Murdoch is more powerful than ever before. In this Audible Original David Dimbleby charts Murdoch's rise, from Australia to the UK to the US, beginning when the two men first met in London in 1968. David wants to find out - who is the man they call The Sun King?
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(Audible Original, 18 November 2019, 5 hours 5 minutes, audiobook, @audibleuk Original Podcast, free with membership, presented by David Dimbleby, Joe Sykes and Peggy Sutton)
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I know of Rupert Murdoch, of course. After the hacking scandal what British person hasn't heard of him and his notorious empire? I knew nothing of his past or life and business outside of the scandals associated with him and News Corporation over the year. The Sun King both fascinated and horrified me, a bit like when I read a biography of Jimmy Saville a few years ago. Murdoch and his empire should not have been allowed so much power and control over the media. WTF is wrong with this country? I was horrified to learn that Tony Blair and other politicians were so afraid of something scandalous being printed in The Sun they would bribe Murdoch and lavish him with expensive gifts. WTF? I didn't realise he founded Fox or helped Trump get into power. I'm still reeling from this revelation. I listened with horror as the podcast discussed the death of a young boy, killed by his abusive neglectful parents and how Murdoch and The Sun decided a woman who was head of social services was to blame and turned the media into a witch hunt against her, so much that she was sacked, publically and demonised. WTF? Murdoch and The Sun should not have been allowed such power. The hacking scandal is recounted in shocking detail. Murdoch should have been thrown in jail and not allowed to see the light of day again.
